IPOH, June 9 — At least 15 people were killed in an accident involving a bus carrying students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) on the East–West Highway in Banun, Gerik, early this morning.
A statement from the Hulu Perak operations control centre of the Civil Defence Force (APM) said that they received an emergency call from Gerik Hospital regarding the collision at 1.10 am.
“Upon arrival at the scene, we found an overturned bus and a Perodua Alza MPV,” the statement read.
The statement confirmed that 48 people were involved in the crash, with thirteen victims pronounced dead at the scene, while two more died in the hospital. Four others sustained injuries.
It is understood that the bus was travelling from Jertih, Terengganu, to Tanjung Malim, Perak.
Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir said the ministry will provide all necessary assistance to those involved in the tragedy.
He extended his condolences to the families of the victims, who included members of the UPSI community.
“Further information will be updated in due course,” he said in a Facebook post today.
In a separate statement, Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Sayani Saidon said the bus and the Perodua Alza were travelling in the same direction, from Jeli, Kelantan, to Gerik, at the time of the incident.
She confirmed that 48 individuals were involved in the crash, which caused the bus to overturn and the MPV to skid into a ditch.
“Some victims managed to exit the vehicle on their own, some were thrown out, while others remained trapped inside the bus.
“The operations commander cut open the rear section of the bus using hydraulic tools to create a working space,” she said, adding that once access was gained, six victims were found still inside the bus.
Sayani said fire department personnel stabilised the injured victims and extracted them from the bus before handing them over to the Ministry of Health (MOH) for further treatment.
“Injured victims, including those who managed to exit the vehicle on their own, received initial treatment from MOH personnel at the scene before being sent to the hospital,” she said.
Meanwhile, UPSI deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Prof Dr Norkhalid Salimin said most of the bus passengers were UPSI students returning to campus in Tanjong Malim from Terengganu after the Aidiladha holidays.
“They had gathered in Jerteh and chartered a private bus to return to campus after celebrating the festive break in their respective hometowns,” he said.
— BERNAMA
