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
Daily Express
17 hours ago
- Daily Express
Ban on night travel for university students among proposals submitted to MOHE after UPSI tragedy, says minister
Published on: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 11, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir said that among the suggestions received was a proposal for university students to travel during the day, instead of at night, to enhance safety. — Bernama pic PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has received various recommendations from relevant parties on measures to prevent tragedies like the crash which claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students, early Monday morning. Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said that among the suggestions received was a proposal for university students to travel during the day, instead of at night, to enhance safety. Advertisement 'Some have suggested that university students and undergraduates should travel during the day rather than at night, to enhance safety,' he told the media after the 'Luncheon Talk with Editors' session, in conjunction with the Asean-Malaysia Chairmanship 2025, at his ministry, here, yesterday. Zambry also said that he had been informed of a separate accident involving an express bus, early yesterday morning, which reportedly had students from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) among its passengers. 'I only received information about the accident this morning. Fortunately, there were no injuries,' he said. In the tragic incident early Monday morning, 15 UPSI students lost their lives when the bus they were traveling in overturned at KM53 of the East-West Highway (JRTB), near Tasik Banding, Gerik. Meanwhile, media reported that 28 passengers, including 13 UMPSA students, survived after their express bus crashed into the rear of a trailer at KM161.5 of the East Coast Highway (LPT), eastbound, shortly after midnight Monday night. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Rakyat Post
17 hours ago
- Rakyat Post
UPSI Bus Tragedy: Social Media Finds AI Images Of Victims 'Cringe' And Distasteful
Subscribe to our FREE There are many ways to honour those who have passed, but there are appropriate ways to do it and less than tasteful ways as well. Some pay their respects quietly, and some feel the need to express it to others. But where is the line drawn from it being genuine mourning, to what could appear as clout-chasing? In the wake of a recent fatal road accident involving a bus transporting Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students, which resulted in the deaths of 15 young scholars of the institution, a trend associated to the tragedy has surfaced on social media. Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to generate images of the victims who died under the guise of 'honouring' and 'remembering' them. While the sentiment seems like a digital new-age way of setting up a candle-light vigil or offering prayers for the deceased, many on social media thought the action was 'cringe-worthy' and downright inappropriate. If you've seen movies or television shows where a student from a school dies, a shrine of flowers, personal items, and photos would be put up at their locker in school or even at the location where they were found dead. This is usually more acceptable as imagery of the deceased used are typically photos taken by friends and family. However, using AI-generated images to depict the dead comes off as impersonal and inaccurate, as AI might not even produce an exact likeness of the victim or victims. Apart from that, it can be considered highly insensitive towards family and friends of the victims who are still in mourning. The public had various reactions to AI-generated images of UPSI bus crash victims Looking into the comments section, some said that the public should show support for the victims' families by offering prayers rather than posting AI-generated images like that. 'Commemorating shouldn't turn into showing off. As Muslims, even if we don't know them personally, it's better to offer more prayers for those who have passed. Technology is no excuse. It's not about whether we care or not. This is about families who have lost someone. Respect them,' said one man. Some also opined that the depiction could be misinterpreted by certain parties, especially those who are not following the developments of the incident. 'There's no need to generate AI images for this incident. Just pray for those who have died. AI depictions like this could easily be misunderstood. What prompt was used? 'Spirits of a flipped bus heading towards the light at the end of the road'? Is that really the intended meaning?' asked a teacher. A few netizens believed the AI images were created simply to chase engagement on social media by exploiting a tragic event. However, according to the woman who uploaded one of the AI-generated images, the post was meant to offer prayers for the deceased. 'From a positive perspective, many are offering prayers. This isn't the time to question everything. As long as real images aren't used just to gain likes. This post is meant for praying. Chill, okay?' she said. Bus driver to be remanded after discharge from hospital In regards to the case, 39-year-old Mohd Amirul A remand order for the bus driver involved in the horrific accident will be carried out after the man is discharged from the hospital. Perak Police Chief, Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin, stated that the 42-year-old driver is currently receiving treatment at Taiping Hospital, according to a Harian Metro READ MORE: Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
New Straits Times
18 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Parents fraught with fear as students return to campus by bus
KOTA BARU: Kelantan students who returned home for Hari Raya Aidiladha have begun their journey back to campuses nationwide by road, as parents — gripped by fear and anxiety — bid them farewell in the wake of the fatal bus crash in Gerik that claimed 15 lives. A visit to one of the busiest bus terminals in Lembah Sireh last night saw hundreds of parents accompanying their children as they boarded express buses heading to far away states such as Selangor, Johor and Pahang. For many, the moment was bittersweet — proud to see their children pursue higher education, but anxious about their safety on the road, especially in light of yesterday's crash at Km53 of the East-West Highway in Gerik, which claimed 15 lives on Monday. Housewife Siti Fatihah Ismail, 45, from Kota Baru, admitted she felt uneasy about letting her eldest daughter return to Shah Alam after two weeks of family time. "Over the past few days, we kept talking about the tragic accident in Gerik. "It's been on my mind constantly," she said, referring to the crash that killed 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students. "Before the bus departed, I personally spoke to the driver and reminded him to drive carefully. "I also told my daughter not to sleep too much during the journey and to stay in touch with me through WhatsApp," said Siti Fatihah. She added that while she understood the importance of education, every departure still came with a mother's worry. Other parents echoed similar sentiments, expressing hope that their children's journey back to campus would be smooth and safe. Ismail Abdullah said he and his wife sent their son to the bus terminal as he needed to resume his studies in Pahang. "My 23-year-old is studying at a college in Kuantan and this year is his final year. "Before saying goodbye, I told him to take care of himself and always recite the Quran during the journey," said the 56-year-old religious teacher from Kubang Kerian. Despite their concerns, many said they remained supportive of their children's dreams and are praying for their well-being as they continue their academic journey. The 15 UPSI students died when a chartered bus from Jertih to Tanjung Malim flipped on its left after rear-ending a Perodua Alza at JRTB near Tasik Banding. The accident also resulted in 33 others being injured, including the bus driver and conductor, as well as the driver and three passengers of the multi-purpose vehicle.
