Karpal Singh dies in road accident near Tapah

Former DAP chairman and respected lawyer, Karpal Singh, has died in an accident along the North-South Highway near Gua Tempurug, Tapah, early this morning.

Karpal, 74, perished on the spot following the fatal accident that occurred at about 1 am. The accident also took the life of his long-time personal assistant, Michael Cornelius, 39.

His eldest son, Gobind Singh Deo confirmed the passing of his father through a statement on Twitter at 3.40am.

With deep regret I announce the passing of my father YB Karpal Singh. Details will follow.
— GobindSinghDeo (@GobindSinghDeo) April 16, 2014

Karpal was reportedly on his way from Kuala Lumpur to Penang with his son, Rampkarpal Singh, also a lawyer, for a court case later this morning.

Ramkarpal and the driver of the car were both seriously injured.

The Toyota Alphard the four were in had apparently collided with a lorry. A photograph of the scene showed the white vehicle being badly damaged in the crash.

According to District Traffic Chief, ASP Abd Aziz Abd Rahman the Toyota had 29 traffic offences including 15 unpaid summons.

Karpal became paralysed and wheelchair-bound after a road accident in 2005.

The Bukit Gelugor MP was formerly parliamentarian for Jelutong for many years. His fiery speeches in court and in the Dewan Rakyat earned him the moniker: "Tiger of Jelutong".

Karpal recently relinquished his post as DAP chairman after a High Court judge found him guilty of uttering seditious words against the Sultan of Perak in 2009.