Kota Tinggi police chief Yusof Othman said the two deceased were the 71-year-old driver of a Proton Waja, and the 29-year-old driver of a Perodua Alza. Both men died at the scene from severe head injuries.

He said his department received an emergency call regarding the deadly accident at about 1.15pm

According to Yusof, the accident was believed to have occurred when the Proton Waja lost control and entered the opposite lane before colliding head-on with the Perodua Alza.

“Both drivers suffered serious head injuries and died at the scene, while five passengers were seriously injured and are being treated at Kota Tinggi Hospital,” he said in a statement today.

He said the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for dangerous and reckless driving.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the fire department announced that an emergency rescue service unit with 11 firefighters were deployed to the site of the accident.

Operations commander Faizal Ahmad said the extraction team proceeded to free the trapped victims with special equipment and helped health officers in administering first aid until the operation ended at 2.43pm.