ALOR GAJAH: A 48-year-old man had a close shave with death when the hearse he was driving, which was carrying the remains of a man, was involved in an accident with a lorry at KM199 of the North-South Expressway, northbound, on Friday.

In the 8.20am accident, the man was on his way from Johor to Alor Star, Kedah, when the hearse grazed the right side of the lorry.

Melaka Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Superintendent Roslan Mohamed @ Abd Aziz said the impact caused the hearse to skid and overturn at the scene.

"Due to heavy rain and slippery roads, the hearse skidded and overturned into a drain on the left side of the highway," he said.

He added that the hearse driver received treatment at Alor Gajah Hospital for minor injuries to his hand.