Passer-by dies while crossing highway to check on accident

BUTTERWORTH: A passer-by who attempted to cross onto the North-South Expressway (PLUS) to check on an accident today died after falling into a monsoon drain.
Penang traffic chief Supt Roslan Ali said Naim Halidan, 30, had stopped his motorcycle by an estate next to the highway and tried to cross over to the scene of the accident.
"Naim fell into a large monsoon drain at the road shoulder whilst trying to cross onto the highway," he told theSun.
He said Naim, who is from Selama, Perak, had died due to major head injuries.
Six people were hurt in the accident that occurred about 1.30am today after a car that was going against traffic flow knocked into five other cars at KM124.3 of the highway.
It is learnt the 31-year-old driver of the vehicle heading from Butterworth to Sungai Petani made a sudden U-turn at KM116 and drove against traffic before colliding into five other cars.
Roslan said six victims aged 20 to 50 years old were sent to the Kepala Batas Hospital for medical treatment.
He said the victims did not have any serious injuries, while the 31-year-old driver, who is from Sungai Petani, was believed to have fractured his hands.
Roslan said police had obtained blood and urine samples of the driver and will ascertain if he was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
He said the results of his bloodwork or urine sample would determine what he would be investigated under.
"For now, the driver may be investigated for driving exceeding the speed limit; reckless and dangerous driving; and/or driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs," he said.