KOTA KINABALU: A retired soldier was killed on New Year's Day when he lost control of his car and crashed into a road shoulder along the Kota-Kinabalu–Papar road.

       The 56-year-old former army officer died at the scene of the accident in the Putatan area around 7.50pm on Monday (Jan 1).

       Penampang district police chief Supt Sammy Newton said that a co-passenger in the front seat escaped injuries in the accident.

       Initial investigations indicated that the victim lost control of the vehicle driving and skidded off the road before crashing," he said in a statement Tuesday (Jan 2).

       He said the driver was confirmed dead at the scene.

       Supt Sammy said that the victim's body had been sent for post-mortem at the Forensic Department of Hospital Queen Elizabeth Hospital I here.

       The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act (APJ) 1987.

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       He urged witnesses to the accident to come forward and provide information to help in the police investigation.