Latest news with #MohdAmirulFadhil
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
Perak police advise bus driver in UPSI crash to hold off on public comments pending probe; dashcam footage of accident sent for analysis
IPOH, June 11 — Perak police have advised the bus driver involved in the tragic crash that claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students to refrain from making any further public statements until his official statement is recorded. Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said any premature public comments by the driver could jeopardise the ongoing investigation and potentially fuel unwarranted speculation. 'While he has the right to speak, we recommend he waits until we officially record his statement. 'This case involves multiple dimensions, including the bus company, road conditions, and various technical aspects. 'It is crucial that we allow the authorities to carry out their investigation thoroughly before drawing any conclusions. 'The final findings will be made public once the investigation is complete,' he told reporters during a press conference at the Perak police headquarters. Noor Hisam added that the police have not yet remanded the driver, pending his discharge from hospital. Yesterday, the driver, Mohd Amirul Fadhil Zulkifle, publicly apologised for the incident and denied allegations that he had been speeding. Speaking to Harian Metro, the driver claimed the crash was the result of a sudden brake failure while descending a hilly section of the East-West Highway near the elephant crossing bridge in Gerik. According to Mohd Amirul, he did his best to prevent the bus from crashing into other vehicles as it sped downhill uncontrollably. Separately, Noor Hisam said the police have recorded statements from 18 individuals in relation to the crash. 'This includes 13 injured students, the driver of a red Perodua Alza and his wife, two forensic doctors from Gerik Hospital, and a witness who captured the incident in a viral dashcam recording,' he said. He also noted that the authorities are investigating the authenticity of the dashcam footage circulating online. 'Many have questioned whether the bus shown in the footage is the actual vehicle involved. The video is not very clear and could be challenged. Verification is still ongoing. 'We need experts to confirm the authenticity and whether the location and vehicle match the incident in question,' he explained. Noor Hisam confirmed that there is only one dashcam recording available so far, and a statement has been taken from the vehicle's owner. 'The video will be sent for forensic verification which will be handled by another agency as it falls outside our jurisdiction,' he added. He also urged the public to act responsibly and avoid spreading unverified or potentially harmful content about the tragedy. 'This is a heartbreaking and sensitive event. We should be expressing sympathy and support, not seeking attention through sensational posts,' he said. He also said initial inspections of the bus by Puspakom have yet to yield conclusive findings. The fatal crash occurred early Monday morning when the bus carrying the UPSI students overturned at KM53 of the East-West Highway (JRTB), near Tasik Banding in Gerik, killing 15 students.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
Perak police advise bus driver in UPSI crash to hold off on public comments pending probe
IPOH, June 11 — Perak police have advised the bus driver involved in the tragic crash that claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students to refrain from making any further public statements until his official statement is recorded. Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said any premature public comments by the driver could jeopardise the ongoing investigation and potentially fuel unwarranted speculation. 'While he has the right to speak, we recommend he waits until we officially record his statement. 'This case involves multiple dimensions, including the bus company, road conditions, and various technical aspects. 'It is crucial that we allow the authorities to carry out their investigation thoroughly before drawing any conclusions. 'The final findings will be made public once the investigation is complete,' he told reporters during a press conference at the Perak police headquarters. Noor Hisam added that the police have not yet remanded the driver, pending his discharge from hospital. Yesterday, the driver, Mohd Amirul Fadhil Zulkifle, publicly apologised for the incident and denied allegations that he had been speeding. Speaking to Harian Metro, the driver claimed the crash was the result of a sudden brake failure while descending a hilly section of the East-West Highway near the elephant crossing bridge in Gerik. According to Mohd Amirul, he did his best to prevent the bus from crashing into other vehicles as it sped downhill uncontrollably. Separately, Noor Hisam said the police have recorded statements from 18 individuals in relation to the crash. 'This includes 13 injured students, the driver of a red Perodua Alza and his wife, two forensic doctors from Gerik Hospital, and a witness who captured the incident in a viral dashcam recording,' he said. He also noted that the authorities are investigating the authenticity of the dashcam footage circulating online. 'Many have questioned whether the bus shown in the footage is the actual vehicle involved. The video is not very clear and could be challenged. Verification is still ongoing. 'We need experts to confirm the authenticity and whether the location and vehicle match the incident in question,' he explained. Noor Hisam confirmed that there is only one dashcam recording available so far, and a statement has been taken from the vehicle's owner. 'The video will be sent for forensic verification which will be handled by another agency as it falls outside our jurisdiction,' he added. He also urged the public to act responsibly and avoid spreading unverified or potentially harmful content about the tragedy. 'This is a heartbreaking and sensitive event. We should be expressing sympathy and support, not seeking attention through sensational posts,' he said. He also said initial inspections of the bus by Puspakom have yet to yield conclusive findings. The fatal crash occurred early Monday morning when the bus carrying the UPSI students overturned at KM53 of the East-West Highway (JRTB), near Tasik Banding in Gerik, killing 15 students.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
Gerik crash: Bus driver apologises, denies speeding after viral video claims, says brakes failed
TAIPING, June 10 — The driver of the ill-fated bus that crashed and killed 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students yesterday has apologised and denied claims he was speeding. Mohd Amirul Fadhil Zulkifle said the incident was caused by sudden brake failure while descending a hilly stretch on the East-West Highway, near the elephant crossing bridge in Gerik, Harian Metro reported today. 'I apologise to all the victims' families and the students involved in the accident yesterday morning. What happened was because the bus brakes suddenly failed,' he was quoted as saying from his hospital bed at Taiping Hospital, Perak. He said the bus – which departed from Terengganu for the main UPSI campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak – was functioning well, until the brakes failed without warning. 'At that moment, I tried everything I could, but since the bus had no air pressure left, nothing worked — not even the handbrake or the gear shift,' he was quoted as saying. Amirul claimed he did his best to avoid crashing into other vehicles as the bus sped downhill uncontrollably. 'What I did then was try to avoid hitting other vehicles. As far as I remember, I managed to avoid four vehicles, including a lorry, before the accident happened. 'The last vehicle I overtook was a car with a dashcam, and by then I was doing everything I could to prevent a worse situation.' A video clip of the bus overtaking vehicles on the highway has been circulating on the internet since yesterday, prompting questions about its speed. 'People saw me speeding and overtaking, but the truth is I was trying to avoid crashing into them. Unfortunately, it was a winding road and I couldn't do anything more,' Amirul was quoted as saying. The 39-year-old who has been driving buses since 2016 claimed he shouted to warn the students aboard the bus once the brakes failed. 'Those sitting at the front may have heard me, but most at the back were asleep and thought I was just yelling. 'I estimate the bus travelled for over a kilometre without brakes. I truly did my best as a driver to prevent the accident. 'I wasn't speeding as claimed. I know the Jeli-Gerik route well, and we were going downhill at the time,' he was quoted as saying. When the bus overturned, Amirul said he briefly lost consciousness. Upon waking up, he urged the UPSI students to crawl out through the broken windscreen. He related that he did the same and cried when he saw the students' condition. 'In all my years of driving, this is the first accident involving fatalities. As a bus driver, I feel deeply guilty. 'But there's no turning back time. All I can do is apologise, and I leave the investigation to the police,' the Besut native added. Amirul is currently awaiting surgery for a broken left arm. Yesterday, police said preliminary investigations found the bus had hit the rear of a Perodua Alza multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) before overturning. The MPV carried a family of four who survived the crash after veering into a ditch. The driver and his toddler son have since been discharged while his wife and six-year-old daughter remain warded for medical treatment at Baling Hospital in Kedah. Police have yet to formally question the bus driver and have indicated they will apply for a remand order after he is discharged.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
Gerik crash: Bus driver apologises, denies speeding after viral video, says brakes failed
TAIPING, June 10 — The driver of the ill-fated bus that crashed and killed 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students yesterday has apologised and denied claims he was speeding. Mohd Amirul Fadhil Zulkifle said the incident was caused by sudden brake failure while descending a hilly stretch on the East-West Highway, near the elephant crossing bridge in Gerik, Harian Metro reported today. 'I apologise to all the victims' families and the students involved in the accident yesterday morning. What happened was because the bus brakes suddenly failed,' he was quoted as saying from his hospital bed at Taiping Hospital, Perak. He said the bus – which departed from Terengganu for the main UPSI campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak – was functioning well, until the brakes failed without warning. 'At that moment, I tried everything I could, but since the bus had no air pressure left, nothing worked — not even the handbrake or the gear shift,' he was quoted as saying. Amirul claimed he did his best to avoid crashing into other vehicles as the bus sped downhill uncontrollably. 'What I did then was try to avoid hitting other vehicles. As far as I remember, I managed to avoid four vehicles, including a lorry, before the accident happened. 'The last vehicle I overtook was a car with a dashcam, and by then I was doing everything I could to prevent a worse situation.' A video clip of the bus overtaking vehicles on the highway has been circulating on the internet since yesterday, prompting questions about its speed. 'People saw me speeding and overtaking, but the truth is I was trying to avoid crashing into them. Unfortunately, it was a winding road and I couldn't do anything more,' Amirul was quoted as saying. The 39-year-old who has been driving buses since 2016 claimed he shouted to warn the students aboard the bus once the brakes failed. 'Those sitting at the front may have heard me, but most at the back were asleep and thought I was just yelling. 'I estimate the bus travelled for over a kilometre without brakes. I truly did my best as a driver to prevent the accident. 'I wasn't speeding as claimed. I know the Jeli-Gerik route well, and we were going downhill at the time,' he was quoted as saying. When the bus overturned, Amirul said he briefly lost consciousness. Upon waking up, he urged the UPSI students to crawl out through the broken windscreen. He related that he did the same and cried when he saw the students' condition. 'In all my years of driving, this is the first accident involving fatalities. As a bus driver, I feel deeply guilty. 'But there's no turning back time. All I can do is apologise, and I leave the investigation to the police,' the Besut native added. Amirul is currently awaiting surgery for a broken left arm. Yesterday, police said preliminary investigations found the bus had hit the rear of a Perodua Alza multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) before overturning. The MPV carried a family of four who survived the crash after veering into a ditch. The driver and his toddler son have since been discharged while his wife and six-year-old daughter remain warded for medical treatment at Baling Hospital in Kedah. Police have yet to formally question the bus driver and have indicated they will apply for a remand order after he is discharged.
