Police say negligence, not speed, caused an SUV to plunge 61 metres into a ravine in Hulu Terengganu, killing an engaged couple
KUALA BERANG: Police believe negligence caused a sports utility vehicle to plunge into a 61-metre-deep ravine in Hulu Terengganu last Friday.
Hulu Terengganu district police chief Supt Sharudin Abd Wahab said investigations found no brake marks at the scene on Jalan Kuala Jeneris-Sungai Gawi-Aring.
He said the SUV entered a closed section of road before falling into the ravine.
“Investigations at the scene also found that the vehicle was not travelling at high speed, based on the debris found,” Sharudin told Bernama.
He explained that a high-speed vehicle would typically skid before going over, but debris patterns indicated the SUV went straight into the ravine.
“We believe the accident was caused by negligence, with the driver not paying full attention while driving,” he said.
The operation to retrieve the vehicle on Thursday took nearly four hours due to heavy rain.
The SUV was taken to the Hulu Terengganu District Police Headquarters for further investigation.
Police found a dashcam bracket in the vehicle, but the camera itself was missing and believed dislodged during the incident.
Sharudin warned that police would monitor the site and take action against anyone removing warning signs or safety barriers.
He said authorities had installed several signs and concrete barriers, but they were removed by irresponsible parties.
The accident around 5.30 pm claimed the lives of an engaged couple.
The vehicle was travelling from Hulu Terengganu towards Gua Musang when it entered a road closed due to a landslide. – Bernama
