KOTA KINABALU, Sabah — A 63-year-old woman buying breakfast at a food stall in Luyang escaped with minor injuries after a car suddenly moved forward and crashed into the premises, sending her into a pile of food.
The incident happened at about 6.32am on Oct. 6 at a food outlet in the Bornion Commercial Centre, with CCTV footage of the crash later circulating widely online.
Car suddenly moves forward
The woman was standing near the food stall when the parked car behind her unexpectedly began moving.
CCTV footage showed the vehicle mounting the pavement before crashing into the premises. The impact sent the woman into food items that had been prepared for sale, while tables and chairs were knocked over.
The footage showed the car coming to a stop inside the premises after the driver appeared to brake.
No other injuries were reported.
The dramatic video prompted widespread attention online, with viewers initially left wondering what had caused the vehicle to suddenly accelerate into the food stall.
Driver allegedly failed to secure the gear
Kota Kinabalu district police chief Assistant Commissioner Shahrudin Mat Husain said preliminary investigations found that the male driver had apparently failed to place the vehicle’s gear in a safe position after parking.
The car consequently moved forward and struck the woman and the premises, police said.
The driver and a passenger were reportedly still inside the vehicle when the incident occurred.
The exact circumstances remain under investigation, and police have not indicated that the incident was deliberate.
Woman taken to hospital
The woman suffered minor injuries in the collision.
She remained conscious and was able to move after being struck, according to police.
She was subsequently taken, together with her husband, to Queen Elizabeth Hospital II for further medical examination and treatment.
There were no reports that she suffered life-threatening injuries.
The driver was also expected to assist police with the investigation into the crash.
CCTV footage captures the entire incident
The incident was recorded by the food outlet’s CCTV camera, providing a clear view of what happened.
The footage showed the woman standing at the stall before the car suddenly moved from its parking position. The vehicle crossed the pavement and entered the premises, striking the woman and sending food, tables and chairs into disarray.
The video subsequently spread across social media.
The Star’s fact-checking report confirmed that the footage was genuine and that the woman had indeed been struck while buying breakfast in Luyang.
Police investigate cause of crash
Police officers attended the scene following the incident.
The Kota Kinabalu Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division is investigating the circumstances of the collision, including why the vehicle moved forward while it was parked.
While initial findings point to the driver failing to place the vehicle’s gear in a safe position, the investigation will determine the circumstances and any responsibility arising from the incident.
Another reminder about parking safety
The crash has also prompted calls for motorists to take greater care when parking near pedestrian areas and businesses.
Luyang assemblyman Samuel Wong, who visited the scene, said the incident highlighted the risks faced by pedestrians when parking bays are located directly beside walkways and shopfronts.
He suggested that authorities consider physical barriers such as steel bollards at vulnerable locations to prevent vehicles from accidentally mounting pavements and crashing into businesses.
Wong also reminded motorists to ensure that the correct gear is selected and that the P (Park) position and parking brake are properly engaged before leaving a vehicle.
For the woman involved, what began as an ordinary early-morning trip to buy breakfast quickly turned into a frightening encounter with a moving vehicle.
Fortunately, she escaped with minor injuries — but the incident has raised fresh questions about how easily a parked vehicle can become a danger to pedestrians when it is not properly secured.
