Lorries carrying oil palm fruits crash at Sebangkoi
SARIKEI: Two lorries laden with oil palm fresh fruit bunches ( FFB) crashed at Sebangkoi, about 20km from here, on Wednesday night, causing a traffic jam that lasted until yesterday morning.
The mishap occurred around 11.50pm, while the lorries were travelling from Saratok to Bintulu.
According to the driver of the first lorry, who escaped with slight injuries, the vehicle he was driving was knocked into from behind by the lorry driven by his colleague.
He said the impact caused both drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
The fi rst lorry landed on its side across the two-lane road, making it impassable to traffic from both directions, while the second lorry also ended up on its side at the road shoulder.
The driver of the second lorry suffered serious injuries and was taken in an ambulance to Sarikei Hospital.
District Fire and Rescue Department ( Bomba) chief Suna Kaha said eight fi refighters were dispatched to the scene following a distress call at 11.53pm.
“Firefighters found the FFB were scattered all over and lubricant from both lorries had also spilled onto the road,” he said.
Suna said the company involved was contacted to collect the FFB as well as to supply sand to cover the lubricant spill and engage a towing service to move the lorries to the side.
He added fi refighters took about an hour to stack the FFB along the roadside.
Traffic from both directions
Firefighters found the FFB were scattered all over and lubricant from both lorries had also spilled onto the road.
could only pass around 4am after the lorry was moved to the roadside.
However, fi refi ghters stayed to wait for sand to cover the oil spill to ensure the safety of vehicles passing the area.
Suna said the sand was delivered around 5am and his men completed their operation around 6am.
Suna Kaha, District Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) chief