JOHOR BARU: A Deepavali reunion among five friends ended in tragedy when their Mercedes-Benz overturned and burst into flames as they were believed to be returning home after celebrating the festival early yesterday.
Two men were burnt to death while three others were injured in the 5.50am crash at Km 5 of Jalan Pantai.
Johor Baru (South) police chief Assistant Commissioner Azrul Hisham Mohd Shaffei said the car was travelling from the city centre towards Pasir Gudang when the driver is believed to have lost control.
“Initial investigations found that the car was driven by a 31-year-old man, who worked as a lorry driver, with four male passengers aged between 20 and 31.
“Upon reaching the location, the driver lost control before crashing into the road divider on its right.
“The impact caused it to overturn onto the left side of the road before catching fire,” he said in a statement.
Azrul said DNA samples were also collected from both victims’ families to establish their identities.
Meanwhile, checks at the forensic department of Sultanah Aminah Hospital found that family members who had arrived earlier had returned home while awaiting the completion of the post-mortem examinations.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act.