KUCHING, May 29 — Three women were killed and seven others injured following a head-on collision between a trailer and a sports utility vehicle (SUV) along the Bintulu-Miri road this afternoon. 

A Bintulu Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) spokesman said the dead were identified as Gensa anak Unggau, 36, Nuai anak Bakar, 23, and Lengidi anak Koling, 57, passengers of the Perak-registered SUV.

He said they died at the scene of the accident at Km42 Bintulu-Miri coastal road about 1.55pm

The injured, all admitted to the Bintulu general hospital, include SUV driver Ngindang anak Bau, 61; Fhiymina Alicia Cendu anak Ngindang, 23; Billy Beti anak Jelaing, 5; Tera anak Bow, 56; Jelaing anak Bakar, 35; Ester, a one-year old; and another passenger whose identity is unknown.

The spokesman said the driver of the trailer, identified as Ramli Nor, 61, escaped without injuries.

He said the injured passengers were taken to the Bintulu hospital by the Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) vehicle for admission.

Meanwhile, state traffic police chief Supt Alexson Naga Chabu said the SUV, driven by Ngindang, was travelling from Bintulu to Miri when the mishap occurred.

He said Ngindang lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a bend and then into the path of the trailer.

He said Ngindang received a blow to the head while the three dead passengers were thrown out of the vehicle, which was badly damaged.

He said police investigations are ongoing.