Two tourists die, three seriously hurt in Semporna crash

SEMPORNA - Two foreign tourists were killed while three others were seriously injured when a tour van they were travelling in was involved in a collision with a trailer at Jalan Kalumpang KM20, Jalan Semporna-Tawau, yesterday.

Semporna Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) chief Mazlan Sarman said the two foreign tourists were identified as Lee Siong Huat, 60, a Singaporean and Vietnam national Ngo Trinh Buu Dung, 40, who were confirmed dead at the scene by a Health Ministry medical officer.

"Three others were seriously injured, namely the tour van driver, a 42-year-old local and two Singaporeans, aged 67 and 71.

"Two other Singaporeans, an 11-year-old girl and a 58-year-old man, sustained minor injuries. All injured victims were sent to hospital for further treatment,” he said in a statement, last night.

Mazlan said the incident occurred as a result of the tour van colliding with a lorry before it skidded and crashed to the roadside.

The 25-year-old lorry driver escaped unhurt.

He said that the fire station was alerted of the incident at 4.03pm and five officers and firemen, using two machines rushed to the scene, which was located 20 kilometres from BBP Semporna.

Mazlan said the operation ended at 5.32pm. - BERNAMA