BETONG: An elderly woman died while five others were injured after the car they were travelling in crashed along the Pan Borneo Highway between Sri Aman and Saratok on Sunday afternoon.
The incident occurred at about 4.44 pm when a Proton Wira vehicle carrying six occupants veered off the road and struck a central divider near Betong, according to the Fire and Rescue Department.
Firefighters from the Betong Fire and Rescue Station were dispatched to the scene following an emergency call. The response team comprised seven personnel led by operations commander PBK I Mosihi Buang.
Rescuers arriving at the location found the car had been involved in a single-vehicle accident. The vehicle was carrying two men and four women.
Five occupants suffered minor injuries.
An elderly female passenger seated at the rear of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel from the Health Ministry.
Firefighters used rescue equipment to force open the rear door of the vehicle, which had become jammed in the crash, allowing access to the victims.
None of the occupants were trapped inside the car.
Those injured were transported to hospital by ambulance services from the Health Ministry and the Civil Defence Force for further treatment.
The body of the deceased woman was handed over to the police for further action.
Police were also present at the scene alongside medical personnel and civil defence responders.
The cause of the accident has yet to be determined.
