Two Singaporeans killed as Ferrari burns on Johor Bahru-Mersing highway

Two Singaporeans died on the spot after the Ferrari 458 they were travelling in crashed and caught fire on the Johor Bahru-Mersing highway on the morning of 9 May 2026.

The victims were identified by Malaysian media as Yeo Tian Wen Leong, 34, who was driving the vehicle, and Ng Puay Ying, 33, who was seated in the front passenger seat.

The crash occurred at approximately 9am at the 57.5-kilometre mark of the highway, near the town of Kota Tinggi in Johor state.

Kota Tinggi district police chief Superintendent Yusof Othman confirmed the incident in a Facebook post, stating that both occupants sustained severe bodily injuries and burns and were pronounced dead at the scene.

Their bodies were subsequently transferred to the forensic unit at Kota Tinggi Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Part of a morning convoy

The crash took place during a morning drive organised by members of the Ferrari Owners' Club Singapore, according to The Straits Times, which cited a businessman familiar with the outing who declined to be named.

More than 30 cars from the club were travelling along the B-road toward the coastal town of Mersing at the time of the accident.

The driver is believed to have lost control of the vehicle before it crashed. The businessman told The Straits Times that none of the other drivers or passers-by had a fire extinguisher available at the time.

Video footage of the scene, obtained by The Straits Times, showed thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the burning white Ferrari. Debris and metal scraps were scattered near the road shoulder.

At least 10 cars from the convoy were seen lined up some distance behind the burning vehicle, with members watching the blaze.

A photo released by police showed the Ferrari completely wrecked, with wreckage spread across the road surface.

A route with known hazards

Weekend supercar convoys from Singapore into Johor are a regular occurrence, with enthusiast clubs frequently organising drives to destinations along the state's east coast, including Mersing and Desaru.

The Johor Bahru-Mersing highway is classified as a B-road — a secondary route designed to connect smaller towns and rural areas. Such roads are typically narrower and less forgiving than federal highways, and the route to Mersing is known for its sharp bends and mixed traffic.

Despite this, the road remains a well-travelled route for club convoys.

Police investigation under way

Superintendent Yusof Othman confirmed that the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of Malaysia's Road Transport Act, which covers causing death by reckless or dangerous driving.

The cause of the crash has not been officially determined. Authorities have advised the public to remain vigilant and comply with traffic laws.

Background: the Ferrari 458 and fire risk

The Ferrari 458 Italia has a documented history of fire-related incidents. In September 2010, Ferrari issued a global recall of all 1,248 units produced at that time after more than 10 reports of spontaneous combustion in California, Paris, China, Switzerland, and Brazil.

The fault was traced to an adhesive used to secure the wheel arch lining, which could overheat from the exhaust system during sustained high-speed driving and ignite.

Ferrari subsequently replaced the adhesive with mechanical rivets across all affected vehicles.

Isolated fire incidents involving the 458 have continued to be reported since the recall, including a 458 Spider that caught fire in Tokyo in 2025.

Investigators have not indicated whether any mechanical fault contributed to Saturday's crash, nor whether the vehicle involved was subject to any outstanding issues.