TWO Form Five students lost their lives after a failed overtaking manoeuvre allegedly triggered a fatal chain-reaction collision involving a car and an oncoming multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) along Jalan Kuala Lumpur-Kuantan near Temerloh on Monday night.
The victims, Muhammad Nazim Dzafran Mohd Faizul and Muhammad Hafizuddin Abdullah, both aged 17, were pronounced dead at the scene after the accident, which occurred at about 8.20pm.
Temerloh District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Nasyim Bahron said preliminary investigations found that the students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Chenor were travelling from Temerloh towards Chenor in Maran when the crash occurred.
Police believe the Yamaha LC135 motorcycle they were riding attempted to overtake a Toyota Vios before colliding with the rear right side of the vehicle, causing both teenagers to be thrown into the opposite lane.
"As a result of the collision, the rider and pillion passenger were thrown into the opposite lane.
"At the same time, a Perodua Alza travelling in the opposite direction towards Temerloh was unable to avoid them and struck both victims," he said in a statement on Tuesday.
Mohd Nasyim said initial investigations indicate the crash was caused by the rider's failure to maintain control of the motorcycle during the overtaking manoeuvre.
The 34-year-old driver of the Toyota Vios and the 43-year-old driver of the Perodua Alza escaped the incident without injury.
"The bodies of both victims were taken to the Forensic Unit of Temerloh Hospital for post-mortem examinations," he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by dangerous driving. - August 4, 2026