Kota Bharu police chief Rosdi Daud said the victims, aged between 19 and 21, were in a convoy of six motorcycles travelling from Ketereh towards Kota Bharu when the accident happened at 12.50am.

He said the motorcyclists were believed to be travelling at high speed and the area was not lit.

“Two motorcycles at the front of the convoy collided and crashed while trying to avoid one another, causing the four motorcycles behind to crash into them.

“One of the motorcycles also rammed into the back of a car that had stopped on the left of the Kota Bharu-bound emergency lane, as there is no street lighting on that straight stretch,” he said in a statement.

Rosdi said three of the riders died on the spot while three others were admitted to Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital in Kota Bharu in critical condition.

The car driver escaped unhurt.

He said the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

He advised anyone with information on the accident to contact the Kota Bharu police headquarters or investigating officer Nurul Izzati Rosli at 09-7752315.