SEREMBAN: Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam's press secretary Sivam Balan was killed in an accident.

The vehicle he was travelling in, crashed into the rear of a lorry at Kilometer 232 of the North-South Expressway, near here, on Thursday.

During the 9am incident, Sivam, 35, died at the spot while the driver of the Nissan X-Trail, Hazrin Hasan, 35, died at the Malacca Hospital while receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit at about 10am.

A police spokesman said both the victims were on their to Alor Gajah from Kuala Lumpur to attend a programme that was to be attended by the Minister.

"Upon arriving at the place of the accident, the Nissan X-Trail driven by Hazrin lost control and graced a Perodua Myvi car before crashing into the rear of a lorry.

"Due to the impact of the crash, both Sivam and Hazrin were pinned to their seats. Sivam died at the spot," he said.

He added that the driver of the lorry and the Myvi car were not injured.

Sivam's body was later sent to the Tampin Hospital for post-mortem and claimed by his family members.

Meanwhile, Subramaniam said Sivam had been working as his press secretary for about three years and had a close relationship with the deceased whom he described as a friend who was hardworking and loyal.

"I am very sad because both Sivam and Hazrin are good workers.

“We have lost two good workers in the ministry. Both were loyal, honest and responsible staff.

"Sivam was like my family member and we were close," said Subramaniam.

At the Malacca Hospital mortuary, the atmosphere was poignant as Hazrin's wife Norisuhaila Ishak, 29 and her two children, Haziq Aiman, 5, and Afiq Aryan, 2, could not control their emotion.

My husband (Nazrin) who has been working in the ministry for 10 years, had breakfast that I had prepared in the morning before heading to Alor Gajah to attend a programme that was to be opened by the minister at Pusat Latihan Teknologi Tinggi (ADTEC).

She said Hazrin's remains would be buried at the Muslim cemetery in Batu 3, Kampung Selabak, Teluk Intan, Perak. - Bernama