PETALING JAYA, May 22 — Two people died under bizarre circumstances yesterday — a foreigner who allegedly leapt off a bridge to avoid paying his taxi fare, and a motorcyclist who was knocked down by a car while trying to escape a police roadblock.

In the first case, the Bangladeshi man identified as only Ashraful, 28, and his friend had hired a taxi from Damansara Pelangi to Kota Damansara at 2am.

Petaling Jaya police chief ACP Azmi Abu Kassim said that as the taxi approached the bridge in front of the Palm Spring Condominiums in Damansara, Ashraful’s friend asked the driver how much the fare was.

“After hearing the amount, the friend said they will not pay for the ride. The angry taxi driver argued with the duo and demanded the money,” he said.

Azmi said the friend got angry and attacked the taxi driver while Ashraful hurried out of the taxi.

“Ashraful leapt off the bridge to escape but fell 10m to the highway below and died on the spot,” he said.

“The friend stopped attacking the taxi driver and fled the scene.”

He said Ashraful died from serious head injuries. Police are looking for his friend, also a Bangladeshi, to assist in investigations.

In the second case, a 21-year-old motorcyclist, identified as Muhammad Fakhrul Afig Hamid, of Cheras Baru, was hit by a car after he made a U-turn into oncoming traffic in Jalan Loke Yew to allegedly escape an Ops Warta roadblock.

Kuala Lumpur traffic police chief ACP Mohd Nadzri Hussain said Muhammad Fakhrul was flung off his motorcycle when he collided with a car on the fast lane. He died on the spot from serious injuries on his head and body.

Initial investigations revealed the road tax of the Yamaha RXZ he was riding had expired in 2013.

“We believe that was the reason he tried to run away. He was riding towards Cheras from the city centre when he spotted my men at the roadblock about 20m away.”

Nadzri advised traffic offenders not to risk their lives to avoid being caught by police.

“Don’t risk your life over a few hundred ringgit. It’s just a traffic offence,” he said.

The incident took place at 12.20am.

Muhammad Fakhrul’s body was sent to Kuala Lumpur Hospital.

Police said the 24-year-old driver of the car escaped unhurt.