PUTRAJAYA, Jan 15 — World No. 1 shuttler Kento Momota and three others injured in an early morning crash at KM13.7 of the Maju Expressway (Mex Highway) near Serdang were believed to have left Putrajaya Hospital last night.

The media that have been keeping a close watch on the group after news spread that Momota would return to Japan early today witnessed a two-vehicle convoy arriving at a hotel near here.

One person in bandages was seen coming out from one of the two MPVs. He was believed to be accompanied by some badminton officials from Japan and Malaysia.

In the 4.45am accident, the MPV driver Bavan a/l Nageswarau, 24, was killed while Momota and three other passengers comprising British badminton technical officer Foster William Thomas, 30; Japanese physiotherapist Hirayama Yu, 35, and assistant coach Morimoto Arkifuki, 42, were injured.

The group was on the way to KLIA when the MPV crashed into the back of a lorry. 

Momota won the Malaysia Masters men’s singles title at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil here, on Sunday night defeating former world champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark. — Bernama