A frightening late-night encounter on one of Malaysia’s busiest expressways has once again highlighted the very real danger that wild elephants on LPT2 pose to motorists travelling through Terengganu. On the night of August 5, 2026, a couple driving home from Kuantan collided with a herd of wild elephants on the East Coast Expressway 2 (LPT2) near Chukai — an incident that ended with both occupants injured and their vehicle badly damaged. For residents and road users who regularly travel this corridor, the collision is a sobering reminder of the wildlife hazards lurking along this stretch of highway, and why greater awareness and safety measures are urgently needed.
Wild Elephants Crossing LPT2 Created a Deadly Obstacle for a Homebound Couple
The collision occurred at approximately 10.20pm at Kilometre 274.6 of the East Coast Expressway 2 (LPT2), just past the Cheneh Toll Plaza near Chukai, Kemaman. Abdul Wahid Ismail, 55, was at the wheel of a Toyota Estima MPV, travelling in the left lane with his wife, Fauziah Muda, 52, as they made their way home to Kampung Pasir Gajah from Kuantan, Pahang.
According to Kemaman police chief Supt Mohd Razi Rosli, Abdul Wahid suddenly came upon a herd of wild elephants that had crossed onto the road directly in front of him. Due to the close proximity of the animals, he had no time to brake or swerve, and the MPV collided directly with the herd. Abdul Wahid sustained minor injuries to his left hand, while his wife Fauziah suffered injuries to her right hand.
The incident underscores a growing concern for communities along the East Coast corridor — that wild elephant crossings on LPT2 present a persistent and unpredictable hazard that can turn an ordinary journey into a life-threatening ordeal.
Emergency Responders Acted Swiftly to Assist Both Victims at the Scene
Eight firefighters from the Cheneh Fire and Rescue Station were dispatched to Kilometre 274.6 of LPT2 following the collision. Operations commander Zubaderi Zahari confirmed that the team assisted Fauziah Muda in exiting the damaged vehicle and provided initial treatment to both she and her husband at the scene.
Once stabilised, the couple were handed over to waiting medical personnel and transported to Kemaman Hospital for further examination and treatment. The rapid response of the Cheneh Fire and Rescue Station team ensured both victims received timely care, preventing what could have been a far more serious outcome on the dark expressway.
The LPT2 Wild Elephant Crossing Zone Remains a Persistent Community Safety Concern
The stretch of LPT2 passing through Kemaman and the surrounding Chukai area falls within one of Peninsular Malaysia’s known wildlife movement corridors. Wild elephants crossing the East Coast Expressway 2 at night are a documented hazard in this region, with the Cheneh area sitting close to forest reserves where elephant populations roam.
For local residents and long-distance travellers alike, driving along this corridor after dark carries a recognised risk. The couple’s journey from Kuantan to Kampung Pasir Gajah is a route taken by many Terengganu families on a regular basis — making this type of collision not merely a road accident statistic, but a community safety issue with direct impact on everyday lives.
Authorities, conservationists, and road safety advocates have long called for enhanced mitigation measures along wildlife crossing zones on LPT2, including better signage, animal detection systems, and reduced speed limits during high-risk hours. This latest incident adds renewed urgency to those calls.
Here’s What You Need to Know About the LPT2 Wild Elephant Collision Near Chukai
Where exactly did the wild elephant collision on LPT2 occur? The collision occurred at Kilometre 274.6 of the East Coast Expressway 2 (LPT2), just after the Cheneh Toll Plaza near Chukai, Kemaman, Terengganu.
Who were the victims of the LPT2 elephant collision? The victims were Abdul Wahid Ismail, 55, who was driving, and his wife Fauziah Muda, 52. Both are residents of Kampung Pasir Gajah, Chukai.
What time did the wild elephant road collision happen? The incident took place at approximately 10.20pm on the night of August 5, 2026.
What vehicle was involved in the collision with the elephant herd? The couple were travelling in a Toyota Estima multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) when they struck the herd of wild elephants on LPT2.
What injuries did the victims sustain from the elephant collision? Abdul Wahid Ismail suffered minor injuries to his left hand, and his wife Fauziah Muda sustained injuries to her right hand. Both were taken to Kemaman Hospital for further treatment.
How many emergency personnel responded to the LPT2 elephant collision? Eight firefighters from the Cheneh Fire and Rescue Station were deployed to the scene, where they assisted in extracting Fauziah from the vehicle and providing initial first aid to both victims.
Why are wild elephants crossing LPT2 near Chukai a recurring danger? The Kemaman district, including the Cheneh area, lies adjacent to forest reserves that serve as active wildlife corridors for Peninsular Malaysia’s wild elephant population. Nighttime crossings are particularly hazardous because visibility is poor and drivers have minimal time to react when animals appear on the road.
Road Users Along LPT2 Deserve Better Protection From Wildlife Collision Hazards
The collision between a homebound couple and a herd of wild elephants on LPT2 near Chukai is more than an isolated road accident — it is a community safety issue that touches every driver who travels this expressway after dark. Abdul Wahid Ismail and Fauziah Muda were fortunate to escape with non-life-threatening injuries, but the outcome could easily have been fatal.
Residents, road authorities, and wildlife management agencies must work together to implement stronger preventive measures along the wild elephant crossing zones of LPT2 — from early-warning detection systems to clearer hazard signage — so that families travelling this corridor can do so with greater confidence and safety.
Motorists travelling along LPT2 through Kemaman, particularly after nightfall, are urged to remain vigilant, reduce speed near known wildlife crossing zones, and heed all roadside warning signs.
