Police: Lorry driver claims microsleep before crash that injured two journalists

IPOH: The lorry driver involved in an accident with two journalists in Menglembu last Sunday claimed he suffered a microsleep episode before the crash, police said.

Perak police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said police were continuing their investigation into the incident.

He said the 35-year-old driver tested negative for drugs and had no criminal record.

"The lorry driver has given a statement. Whatever the reason, it is still an offence because he hit the vehicle from behind. We will take the necessary action," he said at a press conference at the Perak police headquarters here today.

Alwi said police had yet to secure dashcam footage from any party, adding that the area was not covered by closed-circuit television (CCTV).

Two journalists, Nur Afiradina Arshad, 34, of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) and Zahratulhayat Mat Arif, 37, of the New Straits Times (NST), were injured when their car collided with the lorry at 5.45am on Sunday.

Both were travelling in a Perodua Bezza to cover a programme involving Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Bagan Datuk.