KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA - A 27-year-old woman's joy of delivering her first-born child turned tragic when she died in an accident while on the way to the hospital to give birth.

Doctors later tried frantically to save the unborn baby, but in vain.

Masnih Manan died of internal injuries after her car was involved in a head-on collision with a 4WD vehicle in Jalan Petagas at about 3.30am yesterday.

The driver of the 4WD is believed to have lost control of his vehicle before colliding with the car driven by Masnih's brother Hamdan, 26.

Hamdan, his wife Rihna Murhanny Abdullah, 26, and 55-year-old mother-in-law Jerani Rayah were on the way to send Masnih to the Likas Women and Children's Hospital.

Penampang OCPD Deputy Supt Madang Usat said Hamdan, Rihna and Jerani were seriously injured.

Masnih's husband was in Sandakan.

The Star/Asia News Network