Kuala Lipis police chief Ismail Man said those killed in the 2.35am incident were the broken-down trailer lorry’s driver Izani Yusoff, 31, the driver of another trailer lorry, who had stopped to help, Aizad Rosdi, 27, and Aizad’s assistant, Rushaidee Rusli, 22.

He said preliminary investigations revealed that a Toyota Hilux, travelling in the same direction, went out of control and struck the trailer lorry’s rear left corner before hitting the victims repairing the lorry.

“The trailer lorry driver and attendant were on their way from Tanah Merah in Kelantan to Selangor to deliver timber when their vehicle experienced brake failure, forcing them to stop on the shoulder of the exit lane from Kampung Merapoh.

“Another trailer lorry from the same company stopped in front of the broken-down vehicle to offer assistance.

“While repairs were being carried out, a Hilux suddenly went out of control and struck the rear left corner of the broken-down trailer, hitting the victims,” he said in a statement.

Ismail said the Hilux’s driver, Khairul Azhar Nor, and the attendant of the broken-down trailer lorry, Wan Syafiq Wan Hanafi, were seriously injured and sent to Gua Musang Hospital in Kelantan.

The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving.