Lorry plunges into landslide area, couple escapes unhurt

KUALA BERANG: A lorry plunged into a landslide area along Jalan Aring 8–Kenyir–Kuala Jeneris near the Sungai Deka Elephant Conservation Centre in Hulu Terengganu yesterday.

Hulu Terengganu police chief Supt Sharudin Abdul Wahab said the 57-year-old lorry driver and his wife, 55, who was travelling with him, were unharmed in the incident, which occurred at about 3.40 pm.

He said initial investigations found that the lorry was travelling from the couple's home in Ajil, Hulu Terengganu, to Kuala Krai, Kelantan to collect a fruit supply.

"Upon reaching the location, the driver and passenger stopped the vehicle and got out to inspect the road condition before proceeding through the landslide area.

"While they were outside the vehicle, the lorry was believed to have suffered a brake system failure before sliding into the landslide area. No injuries were reported," he said in a statement today.

Sharudin said the lorry sustained damage to its front and rear sections, while the roadside barrier was also damaged in the incident.

"The road was straight with two lanes for two-way traffic and broken white lines dividing the lanes.

"At the time of the incident, the weather was cloudy, the road was wet and visibility was clear," he said.

He said the road is a Federal Route that has been gazetted as closed to all vehicles following the landslide.

The case is being investigated under Section 79(2) of the Road Transport Act (APJ) 1987. — BERNAMA