A 16-year-old boy in Malaysia, reversed his mother’s car, a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), into a food court and crashed into about a dozen people who were dining at the time.
The Unfortunate Crash: Details Unveiled
The Time and Place
The incident took place around 2.43pm on Saturday, 26 August, at the bustling Medan Selera Tanjung Kling in Melaka.
This is a popular food court known for its variety of culinary offerings, frequented by both locals and tourists seeking a delightful gastronomic experience.
The Trigger: A Misstep with Drastic Consequences
The 16-year-old boy’s unfortunate mishap occurred when he was attempting to start his mother’s multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), a Toyota Avanza.
In an inadvertent action, he pressed the accelerator instead of the intended control, leading to a dramatic and unexpected chain of events.
As a result of the mistaken acceleration, the Toyota Avanza suddenly reversed, crashing into the food court area. Shocked diners who were enjoying their meals found themselves in danger as the car ran over them.
The collision was not limited to the Toyota Avanza alone. The vehicle collided with a parked Proton Suprima S during its abrupt reverse motion. This secondary impact added to the chaos and further heightened the urgency of the situation.
The Human Toll: Injuries and Aftermath
Diners Caught in the Chaos
Approximately 11 diners, including some children, were seated at the food court at the time of the incident. The sudden crash left them injured and traumatized. Families who were savoring their meals suddenly found themselves in a situation of shock and distress.
Surprisingly, despite the injuries suffered by the diners, no one has filed a police report regarding the incident.
Unveiling the Investigation and Causes
Insights from Preliminary Investigations
Preliminary investigations into the incident shed light on the circumstances that led to the crash. According to Melaka Tengah district police chief ACP Christopher Patit, the accident occurred due to a misunderstanding in the operation of the vehicle.
Christopher Patit revealed that the teenager’s mother had instructed him to warm up the engine of the Toyota Avanza. However, in a moment of confusion, the teenager ended up pressing the gas pedal and inadvertently putting the car in reverse.
The MPV’s sudden and unexpected reversal resulted in the collision with the customers who were dining at the food court. This unintended impact led to injuries and property damage. The incident is being investigated under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, highlighting the legal consequences that might follow.