A heartbreaking accident along Malaysia’s North-South Expressway claimed the life of a 13-year-old girl on the morning of 27 June. The child was reportedly thrown out of a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) after its tyre burst, causing the vehicle to crash into a guardrail. She landed on the opposite carriageway, where she was tragically struck by an oncoming car.
According to Malaysian authorities, the incident occurred at approximately 7:54am near KM189.1 of the expressway in Jasin. The MPV, a Toyota Vellfire, had been ferrying nine passengers ranging in age from four to 63 years old. The group was travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore to visit relatives when disaster struck.
Preliminary investigations revealed that a sudden tyre burst led the 36-year-old driver to lose control of the vehicle. The resulting impact with the guardrail caused several passengers, including the victim identified as Iris Sofea Mohamed Siddiq Khan, to be ejected from the MPV.
Several Children Ejected From MPV, One Seriously Injured
In a shocking revelation, Malaysian highway authorities confirmed that four other children were also flung from the vehicle during the crash. Among them was Iris’s 10-year-old sister, who suffered severe injuries and is currently receiving urgent medical care.
The remaining three children were fortunate to escape with only minor injuries. Meanwhile, the drivers of both the MPV and the car that struck the young girl did not sustain any physical harm. Emergency services quickly responded, transporting all injured passengers to Hospital Melaka and Hospital Jasin for treatment.
The incident has cast a somber light on road safety concerns, particularly the dangers posed by tyre failures on high-speed highways—a frequent cause of deadly accidents across Southeast Asia.
Investigations Underway Into Possible Reckless Driving
Authorities have launched a probe into the accident under suspicion of causing death by reckless or dangerous driving. Investigators are working to determine whether maintenance issues or other factors contributed to the catastrophic tyre failure.
As the investigation continues, safety experts are urging motorists to conduct regular tyre inspections and replace worn tyres promptly to avoid similar tragedies. Tyre blowouts are among the top causes of fatal highway accidents, and this latest incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks.
For Singaporeans who frequently drive between Malaysia and Singapore, this incident underscores the importance of comprehensive travel insurance and maintaining vehicle safety standards before embarking on long journeys. Road safety and accident prevention remain critical topics for all drivers in the region.