Killer ‘ghost lorry’ involved in 40-vehicle crash was being driven, evidence show

PETALING JAYA, Jan 16 — Investigations into the runaway “lori hantu” that ploughed into 40 vehicles on Thursday, killing two students and injuring seven, have found that the lorry was stolen and was being driven at the time of the incident.  

New evidence revealed that the lorry was parked about a kilometre from the entrance of SMK Bandar Damai Perdana, before it was allegedly stolen.

Earlier reports said the lorry was parked 50m from the school and that someone had meddled with the vehicle, causing it to roll down the hill unmanned. 

Kajang police chief ACP Willey Richard said the driver had left the vehicle parked facing down the slope, at a point close to the peak of a hill near a construction site. 

“After it was parked, we believe another person drove away the unlocked lorry though the main gate leading out of the construction zone and crashed into the crowd in front of the school, killing the two students.

“The thief was looking to make a quick getaway but was not adequately trained to control the vehicle, especially when descending a steep hill,” he said. 

Willey said the thief managed to flee despite a mob of witnesses trying to apprehend him.

The victims were identified as Wong Siow Xuen and Lau Zi Yin, both aged 13.

The incident, which triggered 32 police reports, also resulted in a fried chicken trader being severely scalded by hot oil, a parent suffering a broken arm, and five other students with minor injuries. 

“We are investigating the driver and are checking his documents and permits as well as the vehicle’s registration,” Willey said. 

The driver was picked up by police when he arrived at the scene, and is under a seven-day remand which ends on Jan 21, he added.

“A manhunt for the thief is underway.”  

It is believed the lorry had smashed into several vehicles on its way down, and the impact caused a car to crash into the victims, who are believed to have been buying food from a stall at the location. 

The tragedy riled up parents and residents, who protested the movement of huge lorries going up and down the narrow Jalan Damai Perdana 2. 

They felt the incident was a tragedy waiting to happen, as several hundred parents and students entered and exited the school entrance during the two sessions daily.

They pushed for the complete prohibition of big vehicles using the access road during school hours, saying the incident could have caused more casualties had it occurred just 10 minutes later when the morning session ended.