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New Straits Times
23-07-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Headlights trigger flashbacks of Gerik bus crash, says Alza driver
SUNGAI PETANI: The sight of headlights behind him at night still triggers haunting memories for Mohd Lutfi Radzi, 37, who is faced with lingering trauma from a horrific accident that claimed 15 lives in Gerik last month. "Whenever I see lights approaching from behind at night, it brings me back to that moment," said the school teacher, who admitted that he remains deeply affected, especially when driving through dark stretches of road. Although emotional scars have gradually faded, Lutfi said the early days following the crash, particularly when his wife and children were still hospitalised, were the most difficult. "The memory is still vivid, but things are slowly improving. We have to keep moving forward as a family. In fact, we will soon travel along the same road again to visit my in-laws in Kemaman, Terengganu," he told reporters after receiving a visit from Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar at his home in Bukit Banyan yesterday. On June 9, Lutfi was behind the wheel of a Perodua Alza multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) when it collided with a bus at KM53 of the East-West Highway (Jalan Raya Timur-Barat) in Gerik, Perak. The family was heading home to Baling after celebrating Hari Raya Aidiladha in Kemaman. The crash claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students and left many others injured. Lutfi said his wife, Nurul Ain Zakaria, 36, and their two children, who were also injured in the incident, are now in stable condition but still require rest and should avoid strenuous activity. "As a whole, my family is about 80 per cent healed. My wife, who suffered five broken ribs, can now manage light chores such as sweeping and washing dishes but she takes frequent breaks. "Our eldest daughter, Nur Aisyah Nafisah, 6, who broke her right thigh, can move about but isn't allowed to place weight on the injured leg yet. While our youngest, Muhammad Ahsan Nafis, 2, only sustained minor bruises and scratches," he added. Lutfi said both his wife and daughter are expected to return to school by September, depending on their recovery progress. He also expressed his gratitude to all who have offered support and prayers, especially the education community. "I want to thank the media as well, and apologise for not being able to speak while I was in the hospital. My physical and emotional state back then just didn't allow it. "My heartfelt appreciation also goes to the State Education Department, Baling District Education Office, and fellow teachers from SK Malau and SK Tembak for their moral support and generous contributions," he added.
The Sun
10-06-2025
- The Sun
Kedah govt extends condolences to families of Gerik bus crash victims
ALOR SETAR: The Kedah Government has extended its condolences to the families of the 15 Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students who were killed in a tragic bus accident on the East-West Highway (JRTB) near Tasik Banding, Gerik, early yesterday morning. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said condolences were also extended to those injured in the horrific crash, including the driver and passengers of the Perodua Alza, who are from Kedah. 'My heartfelt condolences to all those affected. The families are surely devastated by the loss of their loved ones, while the injured are still receiving treatment at the hospital. I pray for their speedy recovery so they may resume their studies at UPSI, and I hope their families remain strong in facing this test. 'My sympathy also goes to the family of Ustaz Lutfi (Mohd Lutfi Radzi), the driver of the Perodua Alza involved in the crash. It is understood that his wife and children are still receiving treatment at the hospital. We have sent a representative to visit them and will continue to monitor their condition,' he told reporters after attending the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) Aidiladha gathering, here today. In the 1.10 am accident, a bus carrying 42 UPSI students from Jertih, Terengganu, to the university's campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak, collided with a Perodua Alza and overturned, resulting in the deaths of 15 UPSI students. The Perodua Alza driver, Mohd Lutfi Radzi, 37; his wife Nurul Ain Zakaria, 36; and their two children, Nur Aisyah Nafishah Mohd Lutfi, 6, and Muhammad Ahsan Nafis Mohd Lutfi, 3, were also injured in the crash. Meanwhile, Muhammad Sanusi said the authorities concerned must prioritise allocations to repair, widen and straighten the JRTB as road conditions are part of the contributing factors in accidents. 'The safety aspect of public vehicles and driver's discipline are important, but the road structure also has to be taken into account. People travel the JRTB route day and night. The volume of vehicles is rising, and many of them are large, yet the road remains unchanged, it's still the same old road. 'Therefore, there needs to be a reassessment of whether the road design is suitable for current speeds, traffic volume and flow. For those in the north heading to the East Coast, that's the only main route available. So more attention must be given to prevent similar incidents from recurring,' he added.
The Sun
10-06-2025
- The Sun
Kedah govt mourns UPSI crash victims, urges road upgrades
ALOR SETAR: The Kedah Government has extended its condolences to the families of the 15 Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students who were killed in a tragic bus accident on the East-West Highway (JRTB) near Tasik Banding, Gerik, early yesterday morning. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said condolences were also extended to those injured in the horrific crash, including the driver and passengers of the Perodua Alza, who are from Kedah. 'My heartfelt condolences to all those affected. The families are surely devastated by the loss of their loved ones, while the injured are still receiving treatment at the hospital. I pray for their speedy recovery so they may resume their studies at UPSI, and I hope their families remain strong in facing this test. 'My sympathy also goes to the family of Ustaz Lutfi (Mohd Lutfi Radzi), the driver of the Perodua Alza involved in the crash. It is understood that his wife and children are still receiving treatment at the hospital. We have sent a representative to visit them and will continue to monitor their condition,' he told reporters after attending the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) Aidiladha gathering, here today. In the 1.10 am accident, a bus carrying 42 UPSI students from Jertih, Terengganu, to the university's campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak, collided with a Perodua Alza and overturned, resulting in the deaths of 15 UPSI students. The Perodua Alza driver, Mohd Lutfi Radzi, 37; his wife Nurul Ain Zakaria, 36; and their two children, Nur Aisyah Nafishah Mohd Lutfi, 6, and Muhammad Ahsan Nafis Mohd Lutfi, 3, were also injured in the crash. Meanwhile, Muhammad Sanusi said the authorities concerned must prioritise allocations to repair, widen and straighten the JRTB as road conditions are part of the contributing factors in accidents. 'The safety aspect of public vehicles and driver's discipline are important, but the road structure also has to be taken into account. People travel the JRTB route day and night. The volume of vehicles is rising, and many of them are large, yet the road remains unchanged, it's still the same old road. 'Therefore, there needs to be a reassessment of whether the road design is suitable for current speeds, traffic volume and flow. For those in the north heading to the East Coast, that's the only main route available. So more attention must be given to prevent similar incidents from recurring,' he added.
New Straits Times
10-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Alza driver in UPSI bus crash gives statement to police
IPOH: Police have recorded a statement from the driver of the Perodua Alza involved in the fatal crash with a bus carrying Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students. State police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said the statement was taken from the 37-year-old driver yesterday. "His wife and two children are still in the ward at Baling Hospital, Kedah," he said when contacted today. The Alza driver, Mohd Lutfi Radzi, sustained minor injuries and was discharged on the day of the collision. His wife, identified as Nurul Ain Zakaria, 36, and their two children — Nur Aisyah Nafishah, 6, and 3-year-old Muhammad Ahsan Nafis — remain in hospital but are reported to be in stable condition. When asked if police had recorded statements from any of the surviving students, Noor Hisam said they had not yet done so. He added that police had also taken a blood sample from the bus driver involved in the accident. He said tests would be conducted to determine whether the 39-year-old driver was under the influence of drugs at the time of the accident. "The blood sample was taken yesterday at Gerik Hospital and has been sent to the Chemistry Department in Ipoh for analysis," he said. When asked how long it would take to obtain the blood test results, he said it was under the jurisdiction of the Chemistry Department and the police could not intervene. "We take the blood sample to test for drugs... it is not always necessary to take a urine sample," he added. 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 Gerik Hospital.
Malay Mail
10-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Wife, daughter of MPV driver still in hospital, son discharged after Gerik collision with UPSI student bus
BALING, June 10 — The wife and six-year-old daughter of a Perodua Alza driver involved in a fatal crash with a bus carrying Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students remain warded at Baling Hospital and are reported to be in stable condition. Kedah Housing, Local Government and Health Committee chairman Mansor Zakaria said the driver, 37-year-old Mohd Lutfi Radzi, and his two-year-old son, Muhammad Ahsan Nafis Mohd Lutfi, had been discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment. The wife, Nurul Ain Zakaria, 36, and their daughter, Nur Aisyah Nafishah will also be referred to the orthopaedic department for further treatment, he said when contacted yesterday. The chartered bus, which was transporting UPSI students from Jertih, Terengganu to Tanjung Malim, Perak, collided with the Alza in the early hours of Monday near Gerik. The crash claimed the lives of 15 UPSI students, all aged between 21 and 23. — Bernama
