Gerik crash: Police record statements from 18 witness
IPOH: Police have recorded statements from 18 individuals as part of the ongoing investigation into the tragic bus crash at Km53 of the East-West Highway, which claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students on Monday.
Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said statements had been obtained from 13 surviving students who have since been discharged from hospital, as well as the driver of the Perodua Alza involved in the collision.
"Other witnesses include the driver's wife, who is currently receiving treatment at Baling Hospital, a dashcam witness whose video has gone viral on social media, and a forensic doctor from Gerik Hospital," he said.
"However, police have yet to record a statement from the bus driver, who remains hospitalised," he told reporters at the Perak Police Contingent Headquarters today.
Noor Hisam said that police were waiting for the bus driver to be discharged before recording his statement and submitting a remand application.
"No remand application has been filed yet. We are awaiting his discharge and medical clearance," he said.
He also confirmed that a blood sample from the bus driver has been sent for analysis, with results pending from the Chemistry Department.
"The police are working closely with multiple agencies — including the Chemistry Department, the Public Works Department, the Road Transport Enforcement Agency, and the Bukit Aman Forensic Division — to ensure a thorough investigation," he said.
As for the dashcam footage, Noor Hisam said that the video was being analysed to verify its authenticity and relevance to the case.
"The footage is not entirely clear and may require expert verification. It has been sent to the Bukit Aman Forensic team for further examination," he added.
It was earlier reported that the bus, carrying 42 UPSI students, was travelling from Jertih, Terengganu, to the university's main campus when it collided with a Perodua Alza along the East-West Highway.
Thirteen students were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others died later in hospital.
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