Tapah police district chief Supt Wan Azharuddin Wan Ismail said the accident, which occurred at 11.15pm, involved a small Isuzu lorry, a Mitsubishi Pajero, a Perodua Axia, a Perodua Myvi, a Honda Accord and two trailer lories.

He said the dead had been identified as Salwati Yaakob, 28, who was the front passenger of the Perodua Myvi, and five-year-old Beh Xiu Zhung, who was seated in the back of the Pajero.

“Both of them died at the scene. Three other people were injured, while eight others escaped unhurt,” he said in a statement today.

Wan Azharuddin said the accident was believed to have occurred when one of the trailer lorries heading to Kuala Lumpur skidded and crashed into the rear of the Perodua Axia and the other vehicles in front of it.

The 41-year-old trailer lorry driver has been detained for further investigation under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.