Batu Pahat district police chief Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani said the victims of the 8.30am accident were R Pubalan, 45, and his assistant, R Sivasanthiran, 35.

In a statement, Shahrulanuar said initial investigations found that the crash occurred when the lorry, which was carrying electronic goods, crashed into the back of a timber trailer.

“As a result of the collision, the timber lorry went on to crash into an oil tanker.

“The two victims, who suffered serious head, chest and leg injuries, were confirmed dead at the scene.

“The driver of the timber lorry, who sustained minor leg and chest injuries, was taken to Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital in Batu Pahat. The driver of the oil tanker was not injured,” he said.

The case is being investigated under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.