IPOH: An outing for five fishermen friends ended in tragedy when the car they were travelling in rammed into a Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) crane at KM42 of Jalan Teluk Intan-Sitiawan, near Lekir.

Three of them, including the driver, 39-year-old Chuah Yeong Boon, died on the spot, while the other two passengers sustained serious injuries and are seeking treatment at the Seri Manjung Hospital.

Manjung OCPD Asst Comm Tengku Mohd Zailan Tengku Ahmad said Chuah, who was driving a Toyota Altis from Teluk Intan to Sitiawan, was unable to avoid the crane from the opposite direction which wanted to turn right at a junction.

He said Chuah was unable to avoid the vehicle, and rammed into the right side of the crane in the Tuesday morning incident.

“Two other friends who died on the spot were Chuah Soon Kok, 62, from Taman Bintang in Pantai Remis, and Tan Siew Hock, 57, from Jalan Hai San, Pantai Remis.

“The remaining two passengers, a 48-year-old man from Jalan Pelantar in Pantai Remis, suffered chest pains, while another 62-year-old man, also from Pantai Remis sustained serious injuries,” he added.

ACP Tengku Mohd Zailan said the 49-year-old crane driver, and his 30-year-old passenger escaped unhurt.

He said the crane driver from the Seri Majung TNB quarters has been arrested, and the case is being investigated under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act for reckless driving.-thestar