Ambulance rams into tractor, five injured

LAHAD DATU: Five were injured when an ambulance they were travelling in involved in a collision with a tractor transporting oil palm at Jalan Tengah Nipah near here yesterday afternoon.

The five injured were identified as three employees of the Lahad Datu Hospital, a young patient and his mother who were on their way to the hospital from Tungku.

Lahad Datu Fire and Rescue department chief Darren John said the department received an emergency call at 2.28 pm and immediately dispatched a fire engine, seven firefighters and EMRS van to the scene.

“Upon arrival, the team found two male victims were trapped in the ambulance and sustained injuries on their legs and had to be extricated by the firefighters.

“Meanwhile, the three other victims, namely, a nurse, sixyear-old patient and his mother, suffered minor injuries and all of them were taken to the Lahad Datu Hospital for further treatment,” he said when contacted by Bernama.

He said the driver of ambulance was believed to have lost control of the vehicle and rammed into the rear-end of the tractor that left him and another passenger who were seated at the front were trapped before being rescued by the firefighters. -