Latest news with #MohdAmirulFadhilZulkifle
New Straits Times
16 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Gerik crash: Bus driver told family not to visit him in hospital
KOTA BARU: The bus driver involved in the tragic crash that claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students in Gerik yesterday has asked his family not to visit him in Taiping Hospital. Mohd Amirul Fadhil Zulkifle said he made the decision as his 39-year-old wife and their three children were still in shock following the incident. "My family, especially my wife, is deeply affected after learning that I was involved in a crash that killed 15 students. "Her emotional state is still unstable, so I told them not to visit me for now. I've only asked them to pray for my recovery," he said. The 39-year-old, who hails from Kampung Kuala Besut, Terengganu, also appealed to the public not to blame his family for what had happened. Amirul, who recently underwent surgery for severe cuts on his fingers and hand caused by broken glass, said his condition is improving. "Once again, I would like to extend my deepest apologies to the families of the victims and the students involved in the crash," he added. He also revealed that he previously worked as a lorry driver before taking up a part-time job with the bus company. It was reported yesterday that the bus, which was carrying 42 UPSI students, was on its way from Jertih, Terengganu, to the university's main campus when it was involved in a collision with a Perodua Alza along the East-West Highway. Thirteen students died at the scene of the crash, while two others were pronounced dead at the hospital.
New Straits Times
19 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Gerik crash: 'I'm sorry… the brakes failed suddenly,' says bus driver [WATCH]
KOTA BARU: "I wish to apologise to the families of the victims and to the students involved in the crash. What happened was due to a sudden brake failure." These were the words of Mohd Amirul Fadhil Zulkifle, 39, the driver of the bus that crashed along the Jeli-Gerik Highway early yesterday, claiming the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students. Speaking from his hospital bed in Taiping, he said the bus had departed from Terengganu in good condition, but things took a sudden turn near the elephant crossing bridge in Gerik. "The brakes stopped working without warning, and at the same time, the air system failed," he said. "I tried everything I could — but without air pressure, nothing worked. The handbrake was unresponsive, and I couldn't even shift gears. "I did my best to avoid other vehicles. I remember swerving past at least four, including a lorry, before the crash happened. "The last vehicle I overtook had a dashcam. I wasn't speeding — I was trying to avoid crashing into other cars. But the road was winding, and I had no control left," he said when contacted. Amirul, who has been a bus driver since 2016, said he shouted at the students to brace for impact. "Those sitting near the front may have heard me. But most of the students at the back were asleep. Some thought I was shouting in anger. "I estimate the bus travelled more than a kilometre with failed brakes. I did all I could to prevent the worst. "I know the Jeli-Gerik route well — I wasn't speeding, especially since we were going downhill," he said, choking back tears. He said he briefly lost consciousness when the bus overturned, but came to and shouted for the students to escape through the shattered front windscreen. "I crawled out and saw the students. I cried. I was devastated. But I accept this as a test from Allah. "In all my years of driving, this is the first accident I've had that involved fatalities. I feel an overwhelming sense of guilt. "But I can't turn back time. All I can do now is apologise, and let the authorities carry out their investigation." Amirul, who hails from Besut, Terengganu, is currently awaiting surgery for a fractured left arm. Police said preliminary investigations showed the crash occurred when the bus rear-ended a Perodua Alza, causing it to overturn. It was earlier reported that the bus was carrying 42 UPSI students and a bus attendant, in addition to the driver.
Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Straits Times
Fatal bus crash in Malaysia: ‘I'm sorry, the brakes stopped working' says driver
Mr Amirul, who has been driving buses since 2016, is currently being treated at Taiping Hospital. PHOTO: Fatal bus crash in Malaysia: 'I'm sorry, the brakes stopped working' says driver PETALING JAYA - Lying on a hospital bed, Mr Mohd Amirul Fadhil Zulkifle's voice cracked as he tearfully apologised. 'I'm so sorry to all the students and families involved. The brakes suddenly stopped working,' said the 39-year-old bus driver, according to Malay language daily Sinar Harian. His words carried the weight of the tragic deaths of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students when the chartered bus he was driving from Jertih to Tanjung Malim overturned after colliding with a Perodua Alza on the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, Gerik between 12.30am and 1am on June 9. The accident had also left 31 others injured, including Mr Amirul, his assistant, and the driver and three passengers of the MPV. Mr Amirul said he did not know how to face the victims' families. 'If there are parties who want to take legal action, what else can I say? I tried various things, but because the air (for the air brakes) was empty, everything stopped working, including the handbrake, and the gear couldn't be changed. 'I tried to avoid other vehicles, and as far as I can remember, I avoided four vehicles, including a lorry, before the accident,' he said. Mr Amirul, who is from Besut, Terengganu and has been driving buses since 2016, is currently being treated at Taiping Hospital. He said he had tried his best to prevent the situation from getting worse. 'Because the accident happened on a bend, I couldn't do anything,' he said, holding back tears. 'I shouted to the students to be ready and be alert as soon as I realised the brakes were not working. 'The students sitting at the front heard my instructions, but those in the back were mostly asleep. Maybe the screaming made them think I was angry. I wasn't going as fast as claimed by many because I am familiar with the Jeli-Gerik route, especially the downhill section where it happened.' He said the accident caused him to lose consciousness for a moment before waking back up and calling to the students to get out through the broken windshield of the bus. Mr Amirul, said he crawled out of the bus and broke down in tears when he saw the condition of the students. 'This is the first time I have been involved in an accident that has claimed a life, and as bus driver, of course, I feel guilty,' he added. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Gerik bus crash: 'I'm sorry, the brakes stopped working' says driver.
PETALING JAYA: Lying on a hospital bed, Mohd Amirul Fadhil Zulkifle's voice cracked as he tearfully apologised. "I'm so sorry to all the students and families involved. The brakes suddenly stopped working," said the 39-year-old bus driver, according to Sinar Harian. His words carried the weight of the tragic deaths of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students when the chartered bus he was driving from Jertih to Tanjung Malim overturned after colliding with a Perodua Alza on the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, Gerik between 12.30am and 1am on Monday (June 9). The accident had also left 31 others injured, including Amirul, his assistant, and the driver and three passengers of the MPV. Amirul said he did not know how to face the victims' families. "If there are parties who want to take legal action, what else can I say? I tried various things, but because the air (for the air brakes) was empty, everything stopped working, including the handbrake, and the gear couldn't be changed. "I tried to avoid other vehicles, and as far as I can remember, I avoided four vehicles, including a lorry, before the accident," he said. Amirul, who has been driving buses since 2016, is currently being treated at Taiping Hospital. He said he had tried his best to prevent the situation from getting worse. "Because the accident happened on a bend, I couldn't do anything. I shouted to the students to be ready and be alert as soon as I realised the brakes were not working. "The students sitting at the front heard my instructions, but those in the back were mostly asleep. Maybe the screaming made them think I was angry. "I wasn't going as fast as claimed by many because I am familiar with the Jeli-Gerik route, especially the downhill section where it happened," he said while holding back tears. He said the accident caused him to lose consciousness for a moment before waking back up and calling to the students to get out through the broken windshield of the bus. Amirul said he crawled out of the bus and broke down in tears when he saw the condition of the students. "This is the first time I have been involved in an accident that has claimed a life, and as bus driver of course, I feel guilty," said the man from Besut, Terengganu.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Bus attendant in UPSI crash awaiting surgery, says driver
KOTA BARU: The bus driver involved in the tragic accident that killed 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students along Jalan Jeli-Gerik has clarified that his bus attendant is still alive and receiving treatment. Mohd Amirul Fadhil Zulkifle, 39, said his bus attendant, who is also his uncle, Samsudin Hamat, in his 50s, was currently being treated at Taiping Hospital, Perak. "I was shocked when I read reports claiming that the attendant had died. Many family members contacted me to ask about it," he said when contacted today. "He is still alive and is waiting to undergo surgery," he added. Earlier police investigations revealed that the incident occurred when the bus ferrying UPSI students crashed into the rear of a Perodua Alza multi-purpose vehicle before overturning.
