KLUANG: A 39-year-old woman was killed while eight others, including an infant, were injured in a collision involving a lorry and a multi-purpose vehicle at Km86 of Jalan Johor Baru-Air Hitam, here, yesterday evening.
There were eight people from two families in the multipurpose vehicle - a Toyota Estima. They were heading back home after attending a relative's engagement in Muar.
Widiani Afendi, 39, who was seated in the MPV's passenger cabin, died on the spot. The cook from Simpang Renggam sustained severe head injuries in the crash.
The accident also left a 7-month-old baby girl with internal injuries in critical condition at the Enche' Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital's red zone.
The MPV driver, 26, and his passengers - four boys aged 6, 7, 14, 16, and a 58-year-old woman - sustained injuries and were admitted to the same hospital. The infant is the woman's adopted child.
The lorry driver, 53, who also sustained injuries in the 7.15pm crash, sought medical attention at the Batu Pahat Pantai Hospital.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Bahrin Mohd Noh said the lorry driver was travelling from Machap towards Air Hitam, while the MPV was heading in the opposite direction.
Bahrin said initial investigation revealed the driver lost control of the lorry and veered into the MPV's path, crashing into its right side. The impact caused the MPV to skid and spin several times.
Bahrin said the weather was clear at the time and police had ruled it out as a contributing factor to the accident. Investigations by police for causing death by reckless and dangerous driving are underway.