LAHAD DATU: A 26-year-old man and a 66-year-old believed to be his father-in-law were killed after the Perodua Myvi they were travelling in skidded and plunged into the sea in Payang, here, last Saturday night.
District Deputy Police Chief, Supt Jimmy Panyau, in a statement, said the man was driving while the senior citizen was in the rear seat when the incident occurred at about 10pm.
According to a witness, the driver had an argument with his father-in-law but was calmed down by the witness.
The witness then told the driver to send his father-in-law home and return to the location to pick up other family members.
The witness later accompanied them to the car which was driven in a rush and plunged into the sea.
Both victims were retrieved from the sea by the Fire and Rescue Department and the public but were pronounced dead at the scene.
“The accident was caused by the driver’s negligence as he failed to control the vehicle, causing it to plunge into the sea.
“Blood samples of both victims were taken to be analysed and investigation is ongoing under Section 41 of Road Transport Act 1987,” he said.
Jimmy urged those who witnessed or have any information about the incident to come forward or contact Traffic Investigation Officer, Insp Muhammad Rasul, at 089-881255 (ext 414) to assist in investigation.
A Sabah Fire and Rescue Department spokesperson said a rescue operation was launched with the help of boat and diver from Syarikat Synergy Multi Resources Sdn Bhd.
“First dive successfully brought out one of the victims from the vehicle at 12.06am.
The team then tied up the vehicle and used a pulley to pull it to a shallow area.
“A second dive managed to find the second victim at 1.31am.”
