Kota kinabalu: A lady driver was injured after the sports utility vehicle (SUV) she was driving lost control before crashing into the departure hall entrance located on Level 3 of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) here this afternoon. The crash did not result in any injuries to other visitors or airport staff, but caused the glass door structures at the terminal entrance to shatter and severely damaged the front of the vehicle. The victim, who sustained minor injuries, was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kota Kinabalu District Police Chief ACP Shahrudin Mat Husain, when contacted, confirmed the 4:20 pm incident and informed that further investigations are underway to identify the actual cause of the incident. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Chan Foong Hin, who happened to have just arrived at the airport, said the KKIA management took swift action to clean up the affected area and ensure passenger movement was not disrupted.
"Thank you to the KKIA management and all personnel for their efficient and prompt action in handling this incident," he said via a post on his social media page. He added that the situation at KKIA has now returned to normal operations as other automatic doors are fully functional without disrupting public movement.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Airports said operations at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) were not affected following the incident at the Departure Level 3 kerbside of Terminal 1 today. The airport operator said Aviation Security and Customer Service personnel responded immediately to the 4.19 pm incident and requested medical assistance for the injured driver, who was subsequently transported to hospital by ambulance.
"The affected area has since been cleared, with the damaged vehicle and debris removed by 6.00 pm, while repair works to the affected entrance doors are currently underway," Malaysia Airports said in a statement tonight. It added that the matter has been referred to the Royal Malaysia Police for investigation and the operator is extending full cooperation to the relevant authorities.