Deadly Putrajaya Trailer Crash Kills 2 Motorist

The scene of yesterday fatal trailer crash in Putrajaya yesterday. (Image source: FMT).

Local internet and social media was dominated late yesterday by reports and postings of a deadly crash at KM 5.7 on the Puchong-bound stretch of Jalan Persiaran Utara, Putrajaya.

The incident, which took place late yesterday morning, was caused by a runaway trailer that lost control and rammed into stationary vehicles stopped by traffic police.

Initially, many were led to believe that traffic police had temporarily closed said stretch of road to facilitate a VIP convoy – a relative norm in said area. However, Transport Minister Anthony Loke later revealed that said road closure was part of a planned ‘dry run’ for the upcoming Le Tour de Langkawi 2023 (LTDL 2023) cycling event.

Various viral dashcam and CCTV footage show the trailer had lost control after failing to slow down or halt itself in time. It then crashed into a column of stationary vehicles on the left lane before veering across three lanes and into the Putrajaya-bound side of Persiaran Utara, causing more damage.

Citing Putrajaya district police chief ACP A Asmadi Abdul Aziz, NST reported that the runaway trailer had crashed into a column of vehicles that included a one-tonne lorry, seven cars, and five motorcycles including one belonging to the traffic police unit who were conducting the temporary road closure.

The mangled remains of the runaway trailer that was reportedly hauling sand. Police suspect the 25-year-old driver at the wheel was distracted or using a mobile phone. (Image source: Facebook)

In all, 14 vehicles were involved including the trailer, leading to the deaths of two motorists. A further seven were reportedly injured, whist five others escaped unharmed. Police has since detained the 25-year-old trailer driver who claimed he wasn’t able to stop his sand-hauling trailer.

Though the trailer appeared to be new and in working order, and its driver reportedly holding no prior traffic offences on his record and even tested negative for drugs, police suspect the driver was either distracted or using a mobile phone.

One of 13 other vehicles involved in this deadly crash. Two motorists were killed as a result, with a further seven reportedly suffering various injuries. (Image source: FB)

"For us, he had the opportunity to stop. Other vehicles came to a halt properly when instructed by traffic officers," said ACP Asmadi to local reporters upon reviewing CCTV footage of the incident. He added investigations would continue on the trailer's technical aspects, and the driver remanded to facilitate further investigations.

"In terms of their compliance to the SOP, everything was done properly based on CCTV observation," continued ACP Asmadi further. The traffic police who stopped the vehicles had complied with the entire standard operating procedure set for their task, he explained.