UPSI student recounts harrowing bus crash that killed 15
GERIK: Wan Muhammad Hanifah Wan Azman, a 22-year-old fourth-semester Animation Design student at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), described how a routine journey home after the Hari Raya Aidiladha break turned into a nightmare.
The Jerteh, Terengganu native boarded a chartered bus bound for campus at around 9pm yesterday, a trip he had made many times before.
He recalled being awake when the crash occurred, noticing a strange burning smell moments before disaster struck.
"The journey was fine until I suddenly smelled something like burnt rubber or brakes. The bus then sped up and swerved to avoid a car ahead before flipping over," said Wan Muhammad Hanifah, seated three rows from the back.
In the immediate chaos, he heard screams and the driver shouting just before impact.
"It all happened so fast. One moment we were on the road, the next everything went black. When I opened my eyes, people were crying and calling for help. Bodies lay everywhere — some bleeding, some motionless," he added.
Despite his shock, Wan Muhammad Hanifah managed to pull himself from the wreckage.
"I was lucky to still stand. I helped lift two students — a boy and a girl — from the bus. They had broken bones but were alive," he said.
He described a scene of confusion and heartbreak, with many survivors injured and unable to escape. Strangers in passing vehicles stopped to help — some praying by the roadside, others offering water and comfort.
"This experience will stay with me forever. We just wanted to get back to campus. Some of us never will," he said solemnly.
Wan Muhammad Hanifah expressed deep gratitude to rescue teams, hospital staff, and the public who rushed to assist.
Bandaged hands resting on his lap, he said that he had been discharged from Gerik Hospital, with a friend's father assisting with the paperwork.
He informed his parents he had only suffered bruises, reassuring them there was no need to come to the hospital.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
9 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Women ministry steps in with aid and counselling for UPSI crash victims' families
PUTRAJAYA, June 10 — The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) will provide RM1,000 each in immediate aid to 10 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) warded in the intensive care units of two hospitals in Perak. Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the donations are through Yayasan Kebajikan Negara under the 'Skim Pemberian Ehsan Kepada Keluarga Mangsa'. She said her deputy, Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad, will visit the affected students on her behalf. 'Eight students are being treated at Taiping Hospital, while two are in Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh,' she told reporters after officiating the Women Seminar 2025 'EmpowerHER: Engage Energise Elevate', here today. Nancy said the ministry will also look into aid and support for the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. 'I think the families need time to grieve as well. It is not just about giving money. What they need most right now is emotional support,' she said, adding that the ministry is ready to offer the services of professional counsellors. 'But we cannot simply show up immediately, people are still devastated,' she said. The tragic crash occurred between 12.30 am and 1 am yesterday on the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, when a chartered bus carrying UPSI students from Jertih to Tanjung Malim overturned after colliding with a Perodua Alza. The accident claimed the lives of 15 students and left 33 others injured, including the bus driver, his assistant, and the Alza's driver and three passengers. — Bernama
Malaysian Reserve
10 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Gerik bus crash: Last victim of UPSI bus tragedy laid to rest
JERTIH — The remains of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) student Nurul Fatihah Abu Setaman, who perished in the tragic crash along the East-West Highway in Gerik early Monday morning, were laid to rest this morning. Nurul Fatihah, 22, the last of the 15 victims, was buried at 10.39 am at the Kampung Gong Duek Muslim cemetery. Earlier, a second funeral prayer was held for the first-year Bachelor of Education (Malay Language) student at her family home in Kampung Gong Duek at 10 am, following the initial prayer alongside 12 of her fellow UPSI students at Masjid Hadhari at 2.55 am. Nurul Fatihah, the fourth of six siblings and a former student of Sekolah Menengah Agama Ittifakiah, died at the scene of the accident. Meanwhile, UPSI deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Prof Dr Norkhalid Salimin extended his gratitude to all parties involved in transporting the remains of the students, from the crash site to their respective hometowns, particularly the Royal Malaysia Police and Road Transport Department. 'We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to all public universities involved, including Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, which provided accommodation for 160 UPSI students who travelled to Terengganu to pay their last respects to their fellow coursemates. 'This reflects the strong spirit of unity and solidarity among public universities in times of crisis,' he said after attending the burial of Nurul Fatihah. In a post on its official Facebook page, UPSI also conveyed its deepest appreciation and gratitude to all parties, both directly and indirectly involved, for ensuring the smooth handling of the entire process. 'Let us continue to pray that their souls are showered with mercy and placed among the righteous,' the post read. The tragic crash occurred between 12.30 am and 1 am yesterday on the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, when a chartered bus carrying UPSI students from Jertih to Tanjung Malim overturned after colliding with a Perodua Alza. Another 33 individuals were injured, including the bus driver and attendant, as well as the Alza driver and three passengers. — BERNAMA
The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
Last victim of UPSI bus tragedy laid to rest
JERTIH: The remains of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) student Nurul Fatihah Abu Setaman, who perished in the tragic crash along the East-West Highway in Gerik early Monday morning, were laid to rest this morning. Nurul Fatihah, 22, the last of the 15 victims, was buried at 10.39 am at the Kampung Gong Duek Muslim cemetery. Earlier, a second funeral prayer was held for the first-year Bachelor of Education (Malay Language) student at her family home in Kampung Gong Duek at 10 am, following the initial prayer alongside 12 of her fellow UPSI students at Masjid Hadhari at 2.55 am. Nurul Fatihah, the fourth of six siblings and a former student of Sekolah Menengah Agama Ittifakiah, died at the scene of the accident. Meanwhile, UPSI deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Prof Dr Norkhalid Salimin extended his gratitude to all parties involved in transporting the remains of the students, from the crash site to their respective hometowns, particularly the Royal Malaysia Police and Road Transport Department. 'We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to all public universities involved, including Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, which provided accommodation for 160 UPSI students who travelled to Terengganu to pay their last respects to their fellow coursemates. 'This reflects the strong spirit of unity and solidarity among public universities in times of crisis,' he said after attending the burial of Nurul Fatihah. In a post on its official Facebook page, UPSI also conveyed its deepest appreciation and gratitude to all parties, both directly and indirectly involved, for ensuring the smooth handling of the entire process. 'Let us continue to pray that their souls are showered with mercy and placed among the righteous,' the post read. The tragic crash occurred between 12.30 am and 1 am yesterday on the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, when a chartered bus carrying UPSI students from Jertih to Tanjung Malim overturned after colliding with a Perodua Alza. Another 33 individuals were injured, including the bus driver and attendant, as well as the Alza driver and three passengers.
