SEMPORNA, Sept 27 — Six people were injured, one seriously, after three vehicles collided while trying to avoid oil palm fruit that had spilled onto the road at Simpang Empat Kalumpang here yesterday.

Semporna Fire and Rescue Station chief Zainal Sinsin said his team received a call at 9.52am and arrived to find an Isuzu D Max, a Toyota Hilux and a Toyota Avanza had crashed while trying to avoid the scattered fruit. The lorry carrying the load was also involved.

“All three vehicles are believed to have swerved to avoid the fruit on the road, which led to the crash,” he said in a statement.

Seven people were caught up in the incident — three men and four women. One man, the driver of the Isuzu D Max, was seriously injured after being trapped in his vehicle, while another suffered a heart problem. Four women sustained minor injuries, and one man escaped unhurt.

Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) personnel gave initial treatment to the seriously injured driver before sending him to Semporna Hospital. The man with heart complications was also taken by ambulance for further care in Tawau.

Two other victims were sent to Semporna Hospital by ambulance, while two women were transported to the same hospital by EMRS personnel.