Young couple killed as car bursts into flames after crash at Malaysia expressway toll plaza

MALAYSIA: A young couple were killed after their car caught fire following a crash at the Jitra toll plaza on Malaysia’s North-South Expressway early on Monday (19 Jan), authorities said.

The victims were identified as 21-year-old Pang Sheng Qing and his 19-year-old girlfriend, Tan Hui Shan.

The pair were travelling north towards Perlis after Pang picked Tan up from her workplace in Penang.

Vehicle burst into flames after impact

According to fire officials, the Honda Civic they were travelling in is believed to have struck a divider near the toll plaza before bursting into flames.

The Jitra Fire and Rescue Station received an emergency call at about 1.05am and dispatched a team to the scene.

When firefighters arrived, the vehicle was already fully engulfed.

The fire was brought under control shortly after, but both occupants were found burned to death inside the car.

The vehicle sustained about 85 per cent damage.

Emergency response and investigation

Firefighters had to cut open the vehicle to retrieve the bodies, with assistance from volunteer fire personnel.

Police and health officials were also deployed to the scene.

The victims were later taken to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital for forensic examinations.

Police said investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the crash.

Families left devastated

Pang’s elder brother said the couple had been on their way to Pang’s family home in Perlis.

Pang, who had recently turned 21, worked with his brother and father in the family’s fruit business.

His father was described as inconsolable when arriving at the morgue.

Tan, who was from Penang, was the eldest child in her family and is survived by her parents and a younger brother.

Her parents were informed of the tragedy later that morning.

At the hospital, Pang’s father was seen repeatedly apologising to Tan’s family, local media reported.

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