KOTA KINABALU: Three people have been injured in a pre-dawn accident along the Kalabakan road in Tawau district.

Two of them have been identified as Mohd Nizam Adha Massa and Andrew Kilau, both 26, while the other was not identified.

It is learnt their vehicle hit the rear of an oil tanker near the Sabah Softwood Factory at around 5am on Wednesday (July 3).

According to information from the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department, two of the victims were taken to hospital by passers-by before the rescue team arrived.

Nizam, who was pinned inside the wreckage, had to be extricated using special equipment, it added.

He was given first aid at the scene before being rushed to Hospital Tawau for emergency treatment, the department said, adding that police are investigating the incident.