IPOH, Nov 19 — Four people were injured after a tanker ploughed into 15 vehicles at the Km321 North-South Expressway, near Tapah toll yesterday.

The accident, which happened at about 10.20am, caused a massive traffic jam stretching over 9km. Road users were advised to use the alternative route via the Gopeng exit.

The victims were identified as Pho Chee Leong, 52, Abdul Aziz Youp Mat, 68, and his wife Rosiah Zainal, 61, while the fourth victim, the tanker driver, could not be identified by police as yet.

Pho, who suffered head injuries, and the tanker driver were rushed to Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, while Abdul Aziz and Rosiah received outpatient treatment at Tapah Hospital.

Perak traffic police chief Supt Wan Jamil Wan Chik said the accident occurred as the driver hit an express bus when switching lanes.

"The cars, which were southbound, slowed down because of a construction at Km321.8 of that route,” he said.

"However, a tanker in the same direction went out of control when switching lanes and hit an express bus on the rear before skidding and ploughing into another 14 vehicles.”

Wan Jamil said the case was being investigated under Section 43 (1) of Road Transport Act 1987 for careless and inconsiderate driving.