Bus driver in Gerik crash apologises, blames ‘faulty brakes'
Amirul Fadhil Zulkifle said while the students seated at the front may have understood him, most at the back were asleep and could have interpreted his warnings as an outburst. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA : The driver in the fatal bus crash that killed 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students yesterday has apologised to their families, claiming that the incident occurred due to a brake malfunction.
Amirul Fadhil Zulkifle, 39, said the brakes malfunctioned when the bus reached the elephant crossing bridge at Gerik, although the vehicle had been in good condition upon its departure from Terengganu.
'I was trying everything I could, but none (of the bus's brake systems) were working, including the handbrake. Even the gears of the bus could not be changed,' Harian Metro quoted him as saying.
Amirul said others on the road might have seen him cutting past vehicles and speeding, but claimed he was doing so to minimise the damage and avoid colliding with other vehicles.
'The last vehicle I cut past had a dashcam, and by then I was doing my best to mitigate the situation,' he said.
He claimed that, upon realising the failure of the brakes, he immediately shouted for the students to take cover and prepare for impact.
Amirul also said that while the students seated at the front may have understood him, most at the back were asleep, and could have interpreted his warnings as an outburst.
Local transportation think tank MY Mobility Vision said his description matched common failure modes in buses with air brakes, and called for a critical forensic investigation of the bus's systems to determine the cause behind the tragedy.
In a statement, the think tank said the accident might be symptomatic of a larger problem with Malaysia's road infrastructure, as evidence indicated that the guardrails had penetrated the bus cabin, posing an even larger risk to its passengers.
'Every guardrail on a federal highway must perform to standards, particularly the MASH TL-3 specifications that Malaysia has committed to adopting.
'We must ask: did this barrier fail to perform when lives depended on it?' said MY Mobility Vision.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
26 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Tragic Gerik crash site among key highway sections slated for RM55m major road upgrades this year, says works minister
KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 — The site of the tragic accident, which claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students, yesterday, has been identified as one of the key sections of the East-West Highway (JRTB) slated for upgrading, with RM55 million allocated for improvements this year. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said that since 2023, various initiatives have been undertaken to enhance the Gerik-Jeli route, particularly along the FT04 federal road. He noted that in June 2023, an allocation of RM30 million was approved for the reconstruction of sections of the JRTB. Two months later, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an additional RM30 million to further upgrade the route. 'This allocation has been utilised to upgrade and maintain several critical sections of FT04,' he said, in a Facebook post. He added that ongoing works include road resurfacing, and the repair of facilities, bridges, street lights, and traffic lights along both directions of the route. Nanta said that all upgrading works on FT04 were completed in phases between July and August 2023, with a total cost of RM55.73 million, based on road damage assessments conducted through the pavement condition assessment (PCA). He added that, in 2024, RM7.2 million had been allocated for various repair works at several other sections of the route. Nanta said that, while the police investigation into the tragic accident early Monday morning is still ongoing, he has received various reactions regarding the road conditions, which have gone viral on social media. 'As I have emphasised before, the ministry remains fully committed to ensuring that road infrastructure is safe and comfortable for all users. 'At the same time, I must stress that road safety is a shared responsibility, including that of road users themselves,' he said. Monday's tragic incident involved a chartered bus carrying UPSI students from Jertih, Terengganu, to their campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak. The bus overturned following a collision at KM53 of JRTB, near Tasik Banding, Gerik, claiming the lives of 15 students. The crash also left 33 others injured, including the bus driver, his assistant, and three passengers of the Perodua Alza. — Bernama
Malay Mail
26 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Zuraida's RM10m bond case: Federal Court to hear PKR's appeal bid on June 24
PUTRAJAYA, June 11 — The Federal Court will hear on June 24 an application by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to seek leave to appeal against a Court of Appeal's decision which reduced the bond payment to be made by the party's former vice-president, Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, in a breach of party bond case. PKR's lawyer, Navpreet Singh, when contacted, told Bernama that the hearing will proceed via online proceedings. 'A final case management was held before the Federal Court deputy registrar Husna Dzulkifly today, he said, adding that all parties have updated the court pertaining to compliance with pre-hearing directives relating to their submissions. The case revolves around a civil suit filed by former PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, on behalf of the party, claiming that Zuraida, who was then the Ampang Member of Parliament, had breached the bond she had signed. The terms of the bond, among others, required Zuraida to pay PKR RM10 million within seven days of winning an election on the PKR ticket, should she resign from the party, join another political party, or become an independent representative. In June 2023, the High Court ruled in favour of the party and ordered Zuraida to pay the RM10 million, with the court finding the bond to be valid and enforceable. However, in December last year, the Court of Appeal agreed with the High Court that there was a breach of bond but reduced the bond amount to RM100,000, citing that the RM10 million is not a reasonable amount of compensation. This prompted PKR to file a leave to appeal. In her defence, Zuraida contended that she was forced to sign the bond with the party to be able to stand for election as a candidate in the 14th General Election (GE14) in 2018. The Federal Court will now decide whether PKR can proceed with its appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision. In civil cases, litigants must obtain leave before they can proceed with their appeals in the Federal Court. — Bernama
Malay Mail
39 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
No blood shortage at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, Perak exco warns against misinformation
IPOH, June 11 — The Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB) has not issued any official statement regarding a blood shortage, affecting the treatment of victims from Monday's tragic bus accident, which claimed the lives of 15 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI). In this regard, state Communications, Multimedia and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Committee chairman Mohd Azlan Helmi assured the public that there is no cause for concern, while also urging against speculation which could lead to unnecessary alarm. 'I know that many are deeply affected, and eager to assist in various ways to ensure the best possible care for all victims receiving treatment at HRPB. 'However, while offering help, it is important to avoid actions that may cause unnecessary public concern or anxiety, regarding the follow-up treatment provided by the authorities,' he said when met by Bernama, at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building, yesterday. Earlier, an appeal urging the public to donate blood for critically injured victims went viral on Threads, highlighting the urgent need for blood type A and B donors at HRPB. Mohd Azlan affirmed his commitment to monitoring the latest developments concerning all victims, and expressed readiness to provide assistance if needed. 'For instance, if HRPB does require blood donations, we will promptly disseminate the information through the state Information Department and other relevant stakeholders, to ensure swift and effective support,' he stated. Monday's tragic accident involved a chartered bus carrying UPSI students travelling from Jertih, Terengganu, to their campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak. The bus overturned at KM53 of the East-West Highway (JRTB), near Tasik Banding, Gerik, resulting in the loss of 15 lives. The crash also left 33 others injured, including the bus driver, his assistant, and three passengers of the Perodua Alza involved in the collision. — Bernama
