SIBU, 5 May – A peaceful morning turned tragic when a grandfather and his young grandson lost their lives in a heartbreaking road accident involving a motorcycle and a lorry at Jalan Salim, near the Rumah Birai junction here.
The victims, an 80-year-old man and his six-year-old grandson, were riding a motorcycle when the collision happened around 11.20am. According to Sibu District Police Chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili, the motorcycle was exiting from the Rumah Birai junction when it collided with a lorry heading from Sibu Jaya.
“Initial investigations revealed that the lorry driver failed to avoid the motorcycle, leading to a collision,” he said in a press statement.
The elderly rider died on the spot due to serious head injuries, while his grandson was rushed to Sibu Hospital but sadly passed away during treatment. The tragic scene left the motorcycle completely wrecked, while the lorry sustained damage to its right front side.
The case is currently being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which pertains to causing death by reckless or dangerous driving.
Locals who frequent the Rumah Birai junction said the area is known to be busy, especially during late mornings, and have called for better traffic safety measures. This unfortunate incident has once again highlighted the dangers faced by motorcyclists, especially senior citizens and children who are among the most vulnerable on the roads.
Authorities are urging all road users to remain vigilant and strictly follow traffic rules to prevent more lives from being lost unnecessarily. Meanwhile, the police will continue their investigations to determine the exact cause and if any action will be taken against the lorry driver.
