KUCHING: A garbage collector succumbed to his injuries on Tueday at 9.11 pm after he and his colleagues were involved in an accident.
Acting Kuching Police Chief, Supt Merbin Lisa said on 7 April at 10.20 am along Jalan Teluk Bandung, Santubong, a waste collector truck lost control while descending a hill before veering to the left side of the road and overturning.
The accident involved three local men, a 35-year-old driver and two passengers, aged 28 and 51, who were riding in the back of the truck.
One of them aged 28, sustained critical injuries and was transported by ambulance to the Sarawak General Hospital emergency unit, where he was later confirmed dead by medical officers at Sarawak General Hospital.
The driver of the truck received treatment in the hospital’s yellow zone, while the other passenger escaped without injury.
Merbin said preliminary investigations showed that the truck, which was on duty collecting waste from Kampung Santubong, may have lost control while going downhill, leading to the fatal accident.
The case is currently being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which deals with causing death by reckless or dangerous driving. If found guilty, the driver could face imprisonment of no less than five years and up to ten years, as well as a fine ranging from RM20,000 to RM50,000.
Merbin urged all road users to drive cautiously and to always follow traffic regulations to ensure the safety of all road users.
By Connie Chieng