Two killed in Karak superbike tragedy

KUALA LUMPUR: Two motorcyclists who were part of a superbike convoy were killed after their machines collided and burst into flames at Km25 of the Karak Highway here today.
The 11.20am accident also left three other motorcyclists in the group of 30 superbikers badly injured.
The dead have been identified as Hazalli Khalid, believed to be a civil engineer in his 30s, and a 47-year-old man identified as Md Nizam Hanapiah.
Hazalli was burnt to death while Md Nizam was killed after being thrown off his motorcycle.
Six cars were also involved in the crash when the drivers attempted to avoid hitting the motorcycles.
Selayang Fire and Rescue Department operations officer Ismail Kamaruddin said firemen arrived at the scene within 15 minutes and found three motorcycles in flames. While putting out the fire, firemen recovered the charred remains of a victim, who was partially pinned under a motorcycle.
The other victim, who was about 100m away, also died on the spot. The three injured victims were sent to the Selayang Hospital in ambulances.
Two are in critical condition.
It is learnt that the victims had attended a gathering of about 100 superbikers from other states in Pahang and were returning home when the tragedy struck.
Preliminary findings showed that the convoy slowed down due to an earlier accident involving an overturned lorry.
It is believed that several group members, who were riding ahead, had pulled over in the middle of the highway due to the traffic.
At least three other motorcyclists were said to have lost control of their machines when they attempted to stop and ended up crashing into the two of their friends' stationary motorcycles.