Special task force probes UPSI bus crash that killed 15
KUALA LUMPUR: The fatal bus crash that claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students in the early hours of this morning near Tasik Banding in Gerik, Perak has prompted the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to establish a special task force to investigate the tragic incident.
The task force, involving the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), Road Transport Department (JPJ), Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) and other relevant agencies, will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said the police aim to complete the investigation report as soon as possible to prosecute those allegedly responsible for the crash.
The accident occurred at 1.10 am at KM53 of the East-West Highway (JRTB) in Banun, near Tasik Banding, when the chartered bus carrying UPSI students overturned after colliding with the rear of a Perodua Alza multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).
The bus, carrying 42 students aged 21 to 23 returning to campus after the Aidiladha holidays, departed from Jerteh, Terengganu, at 9 pm last night.
Thirteen victims died at the scene, and two succumbed to injuries in the hospital. Post-mortems for 13 bodies are being conducted at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB) in Ipoh, while two are at Gerik Hospital.
The MPV, carrying a family of four including two children, veered off the road, resulting in minor injuries.
Police have yet to identify all victims, including the 15 deceased, as post-mortem processes are ongoing, and are investigating technical aspects, human negligence, the driver's records and also if the road's dark, winding and downhill conditions contributed to the crash.
The Higher Education Ministry (KPT) will provide RM2,000 initial aid and RM1,000 disaster relief to victims' families to ease the burden, including funeral arrangements.
The Terengganu government has also pledged immediate assistance to affected families, while the Perak government has announced a contribution of RM1,000 per victim to help next of kin who travelled to Perak for identification and funeral arrangements.
UPSI has also assigned a staff member to assist each family involved, ensuring their welfare is prioritised throughout the process.
Also, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Pertubuhan Amal Komuniti Besut (Amal Besut) from Terengganu, has dispatched hearses to Perak to facilitate the repatriation of the deceased.
The Works Ministry (KKR) has instructed the Public Works Department (JKR) to work with the road maintenance concessionaire to provide technical advice and expertise.
The tragedy has also drawn condolences from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, to the bereaved families.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and members of the Cabinet also conveyed their condolences and sympathies via their respective social media platforms.
In light of the incident, the Federation of Peninsular Malay Students (GPMS) has proposed that the government establish a National Emergency Student Fund to provide immediate support for higher education students and their families in the event of such tragedies, including access to psychological treatment and recovery assistance.
This is not the first deadly bus accident involving driver-related factors. The most recent occurred on Dec 24, 2016, when 14 people were killed and 16 injured after an express bus plunged into a 20-foot ravine at KM137 of the North-South Expressway near Kampung Jayo, Muar in Johor.
The deadliest bus tragedy in Malaysia took place on Aug 21, 2013, when 37 people, including the driver, were killed and 16 others injured after a bus carrying 52 passengers plunged 60 metres into a ravine at KM3.6 of the Genting Highlands-Kuala Lumpur road.
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New Straits Times
31 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Chronology of tragic Gerik bus crash that claimed 15 lives
KUALA LUMPUR: Early Monday, the nation was shocked by a fatal crash involving a bus carrying 42 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students travelling from Jerteh, Terengganu, to Tanjung Malim, Perak. The accident, which also involved a Perodua Alza multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) on the East-West Highway (JRTB) near Tasik Banding in Gerik, claimed the lives of 15 students. The following is a chronology of the accident: 1.10am – The Hulu Perak Civil Defence Force District Operations Control Centre receives an emergency call regarding the incident from Gerik Hospital. It said a total of 48 victims were involved, with 13 individuals found dead at the scene, two succumbing to injuries in hospital, and four others injured. Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Sayani Saidon confirmed that the accident caused the bus to overturn and a car to skid into a ditch. UPSI Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student and Alumni Affairs) Prof Dr Norkhalid Salimin said most of the bus passengers were UPSI students returning to campus in Tanjung Malim from Terengganu after the Hari Raya Aidiladha holidays. 9.32am – UPSI confirms that 42 of its students were involved in the accident at JRTB Banun, Gerik, early Monday. 11.21am – Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir says 13 bodies of the victims involved in the crash were taken to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB), Ipoh, for post-mortem examinations. He also confirms that 15 UPSI students had died in the accident. 12.04pm – Perak Police Chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin says the bus was carrying 42 students aged between 21 and 23, all from the East Coast. All bodies were awaiting post-mortem; 13 were sent to HRPB while two were at Gerik Hospital. A total of 27 other students - 23 females and four males - were also injured, along with the 40-year-old bus driver and his 54-year-old assistant. Also injured were the MPV driver and passenger, a couple aged 37 and 36, and their two children, a six-year-old girl and a three-year-old boy. Noor Hisam said the identities of the victims, including the 15 who died, could not be confirmed yet as the post-mortem process was still underway. 2.25pm – Police announce the formation of a special task force to investigate the crash. 5.30pm – The identities of six out of the 15 UPSI students who died in the accident near KM53 of the JRTB are confirmed. In a statement, UPSI's Corporate Communication Division identifies them as Sufea Adela Maslihaizan, 21; Mohammad Aqil Taqiudin, 21; Anis Soffiyya Md Zaidi, 20; Nur Ainul Qistina Mat Ali, 21; Muhammad Adib Hazim Halim, 21; and Wan Nur Suhaila Wan Mohammad, 22. Also confirmed dead are Fakhrul Arif Rosdi, 20; Nurul Fatihah Abu Setaman, 22; Nur Dalila Farhana Mohamad Isma, 21; Nurul Izyanti Muhamad Azahar, 21; Nur Amni Nadiah Nik Nor Zabir, 21; Muhammad Mustaqim Rosde, 21; Nor Ayuni Maslan, 21; Nurly Sahirah Azman, 23; and Fatin Nasrien Fadli, 22. 6.51pm – Noor Hisam says post-mortem examinations of 13 UPSI students at HRPB have been completed, and the bodies may be sent back to Terengganu earlier than expected. 8.55pm – A convoy of hearse vans carrying the deceased UPSI students begins leaving the HRPB Forensic Department, heading to Jerteh, Terengganu.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
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UPSI offers full support to families of students killed in Gerik crash
IPOH: Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) is providing comprehensive assistance to the families of the 15 students who died in an accident at Km53 of the East-West Highway (JRTB) near Gerik today. UPSI vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Md Amin Md Taff said the welfare of the victims, including several students receiving treatment at three different hospitals, will be taken care of. "Two students are being treated in Ipoh (Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital), four in Taiping Hospital, and several in Gerik Hospital are under our attention. "Our officers are there to help the families, including providing accommodation. "We will also take care of all the personal belongings of the deceased, which will be packed and sent to their respective villages. "The families do not need to come to UPSI — we will handle everything," he told reporters when met at HRPB here. He said that the university is also providing counselling services to the victims' families and the affected students. Md Amin also mentioned that those who wish to contribute can do so through the UPSI Prihatin Fund and the Student Representative Council (MPP) Welfare Fund. "We have two channels, and the public is advised to get the correct information through UPSI's official website. "This matter has already been uploaded, and the financial assistance will be audited and distributed to the families," he said. It was reported that 15 UPSI students were killed in a tragic accident involving a UPSI student bus and a Perodua Alza multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) at Km53 of the East-West Highway (Jalan Raya Timur-Barat) this morning. The bus was travelling from Jerteh to the university's main campus in Tanjung Malim.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Gerik crash: Terengganu govt to cover funeral for 15 UPSI students
KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu state government will fully bear the funeral costs for the 15 victims of the fatal bus accident on the East-West Highway (JRTB), near Tasik Banding, Gerik, early this morning. State Welfare, Women's Development, Family, and National Unity Committee chairman Maliaman Kassim said the state government will also provide logistical support to the victims' families who are at the hospital. Additionally, he stated that a psychosocial team will be assigned to assist family members facing trauma or grief due to the incident. "Indeed, the passing of these students is a great loss not only to their families but also to Terengganu, which is very proud of the achievements and spirit of its youth in pursuing knowledge. "For the families, we will provide counseling services and immediate assistance to help them cope with difficult moments like today," he said in a statement today. In the incident that occurred between 12.30am and 1am, 15 UPSI students died when a chartered bus traveling from Jerteh to Tanjung Malim, Perak, overturned after being involved in an accident with a Perodua Alza multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) on the JRTB, near Tasik Banding, Perak. The accident also resulted in 33 others being injured, including the bus driver and second driver, as well as the Perodua Alza driver and three passengers. – Bernama
