Rare accident in Sarawak claims two lives as heavy machinery crushes trailer lorry cab
Two men died at the Jalan Miri Bypass after heavy machinery on a trailer lorry shifted forward and crushed the cab at a traffic light junction. Emergency teams responded but both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
- Two men died in a collision involving a trailer lorry at the Jalan Miri Bypass.
- Emergency responders found the crew cab crushed beneath heavy machinery.
- Police have begun investigating the cause of the accident.
MALAYSIA: A rare road accident at the Jalan Miri Bypass on Wednesday (3 December 2025) afternoon, claimed the lives of two men when heavy machinery being transported on a trailer lorry lurched forward at a traffic light junction, according to local media reports.
According to a statement by the Lopeng Fire and Rescue Department, the emergency call was received at 4.20pm.
A team of nine personnel was deployed under Operations Commander Liew Yee Mee.
Responders arrived to find the trailer’s crew cab severely crushed, leaving the driver and his assistant trapped inside.
Firefighters opened the driver’s door to allow Ministry of Health medical officers to assess the occupants.
The department confirmed that both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
“Firefighters opened the driver’s side door to allow the Ministry of Health personnel to examine the victims. Both were confirm dead at the scene,” it said.
The rescue operation was complicated by the heavy articulated truck that remained positioned on the trailer and over the crushed cab.
Crews were required to wait for a crane to lift and reposition the machinery before the bodies could be safely retrieved.
One Fire Rescue Tender and an Emergency Medical Rescue Services vehicle were mobilised, along with personnel from other relevant agencies.
Miri Police have opened an investigation into the cause of the accident.
Malaysia moves to strengthen regulations as heavy vehicle deaths persist
According to traffic police statistics reported by Malaysian media, more than 1,400 deaths involving heavy vehicles have been recorded in the past six years.
Malaysia’s road transport authority has reiterated plans to tighten enforcement and carry out more frequent checks on the roadworthiness of heavy commercial vehicles.
A previous heavy vehicle incident occurred on 27 September 2025, in which brake failure was cited as the cause, according to police reports.
Authorities noted that multiple factors such as maintenance lapses and equipment reliability may contribute to such accidents.
A recent study reported that one person dies in a lorry-related crash every 36 hours in Malaysia.
Contributing factors include poor vehicle maintenance, overloading, driver fatigue, and gaps in enforcement practices.
From October 2025, all commercial vehicles must be equipped with speed-limiting devices, with mandatory retrofits required by July 2026.
The Transport Ministry has also stated that it is considering the adoption of United Nations safety standards, including advanced braking systems, blind spot detection, and stability control.
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