KOTA KINABALU: Two people died, and another was seriously hurt when the rented car they were travelling in collided head-on with a five-tonne lorry trailer in Sabah’s southwestern Papar district on Friday (Dec 29).

       The incident took place at KM45 Jalan Kimanis-Keningau at about 1am.

       Papar police chief Supt Kamaruddin Ambo Sakka said the car driver, aged 33, and 32-year-old front seat passenger died on the spot following the crash.

       He said they were travelling from the state capital to the interior Keningau district while the lorry was travelling downhill in the opposite direction.

       "It was believed the driver of the car lost control of the vehicle before it veered into the opposing lane and crashed into the lorry," he said when contacted.

       "Due to the impact of the collision, the driver and front seat passenger were killed on the spot," he added.

       Supt Kamaruddin said the female passenger in the back seat had to be rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further treatment.

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       He said three people travelling in the lorry comprising a one-year-old child; the driver, aged 31 and his 35-year-old assistant, escaped unhurt.

       Investigations are ongoing under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving, he added.