Bus in Gerik crash newly serviced, had no issues, says firm
A total of 15 UPSI students on board the bus died in the crash that occurred on the Gerik-Jeli East West Highway, near Tasik Banding. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA : The bus involved in this morning's accident that killed 15 university students was recently serviced and the driver has a good track record, says the firm that operated the bus.
Kenari Utara Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd said the bus, which was serviced last month, had no issues and was always sent in for service on schedule.
Kenari Utara operations officer Nazri Nawi said the driver, who was loaned by another company, was known to be a responsible driver well-versed with the Gerik-Jeli route, Berita Harian reported.
'What has happened is very sad. I'm not saddened by the damage sustained by the bus, but the deaths and injuries to the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students on board,' he said.
The accident took place on the Gerik-Jeli East West Highway, near Tasik Banding. It is understood that the bus was on the way from Jerteh, Terengganu, to Tanjung Malim, Perak.
A total of 48 victims were involved: 42 students, the bus driver and his assistant, and a married couple along with their six-year-old daughter and three-year-old son, who were in a Perodua Alza the bus collided with.
Thirteen UPSI students died at the scene and two at the hospital.
Police are forming a special task force, joined by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, road transport department, Land Public Transport Agency and other relevant agencies to investigate the crash.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
31 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Klang Valley highway sukuk funds probe: MACC continues questioning ‘Tan Sri' for second day
KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — The process of recording a statement from an individual with the title of 'Tan Sri' in connection with the misappropriation of sukuk funds for a highway construction project continued today. A vehicle carrying Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers was seen entering the individual's residence at around 8.45am, according to Buletin TV3. Yesterday, the same process took approximately six hours, beginning at 9am and concluding at 3pm. Previously, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki stated that the highway concession holder was the key witness in the ongoing investigation. It was also reported that 45 witnesses who had earlier given statements have been recalled to provide additional information.
Malay Mail
31 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Teluk Intan crash: FRU truck lacked seat belts; lorry violated GPS rules, says Transport Ministry
KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — Both vehicles involved in the fatal Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) truck crash in Teluk Intan last month were found to have breached key safety standards, according to a preliminary report released by the Transport Ministry. The FRU truck, which was carrying 18 personnel from Unit 5 Sungai Senam, lacked essential passive safety features, including seat belts in the rear cabin and front seats, according to a report published in Berita Harian today. The bench-type rear seats had no restraints, and the absence of seat belts is believed to have significantly increased the severity of injuries during the May 13 collision. Investigators found that most of the passengers were likely thrown forward upon impact, particularly towards the front-left section of the cabin, causing multiple secondary impacts between individuals and the cabin interior. Unsecured objects in the cabin may have also turned into projectiles, compounding the risk. 'The combination of missing restraint systems and unsecured objects is believed to be a major contributing factor to the high number of severe injuries and fatalities in this incident,' the report stated. It added that urgent attention is needed to improve safety standards in such vehicles. Meanwhile, in another report published by Buletin TV3 today, the same report also revealed that the lorry involved, which was transporting stones, had not met mandatory GPS installation and operational requirements as stipulated under Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) guidelines. The lorry's GPS system was inactive, prompting the ministry to issue a show-cause letter on May 23. This non-compliance breached Item 11 of the Service Level Requirements and Section 57 of the Land Public Transport Act 2010 (Act 715). The guidelines require all commercial vehicles to be fitted with functional GPS to monitor speed and location, with exemptions only for school buses operating across fewer than three districts. Operators are expected to use GPS data for monitoring, disciplinary action, and record-keeping, while preventing tampering or data falsification. Failure to comply could result in fines, imprisonment, or suspension or revocation of licenses. While dashcams are not yet mandatory, the ministry said new safety regulations may require their installation starting in early 2026. The crash on May 13 occurred at approximately 8.50am, killing eight officers at the scene, with another later succumbing to injuries at Teluk Intan Hospital. Nine others were injured. The FRU personnel were en route back to Ipoh after completing duty at the Chitrapournami celebration.
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Brother's rescue attempt fails as man swept away by current in Sungai Kuantan
KUANTAN, June 12 — A man with intellectual disabilities is feared to have drowned while bathing in Sungai Kuantan near Kampung Tanah Putih, here yesterday. Kuantan district police chief ACP Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu said in the 3 pm incident, Syed Alwi Syd Mohd Ali Hanafiah, 30, had gone to the river with his younger brother to fish. 'Afterwards, the man is believed to have entered the river to bathe and was suddenly swept away by the current before going under. His brother attempted to rescue him but failed,' he said in a statement last night. He said the search and rescue (SAR) operation began at 7 pm, involving multiple agencies, including the Fire and Rescue Department and Civil Defence Force. The SAR operation has been suspended for the night and will resume at 8 am today. — Bernama
