15 students die after bus, MPV collide on Malaysian highway

Bus passengers mostly uni students heading back to campus after celebrating Hari Raya

- Eileen Ng

At least 15 people have died after a bus carrying students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (Upsi) and a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) collided on a Malaysian highway in the early hours of June 9.

The accident took place at 1:10 a.m. along the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding in the town of Gerik in Perak state, according to reports in Malaysian media.

News website Free Malaysia Today reported that the bus had been travelling from Jerteh in Terengganu towards its main campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak.

A four-man team from Gerik Fire and Rescue Station, who arrived at the site nearly an hour later, found the bus overturned following the tragic accident. The MPV was found in a ditch, officials said.

A total of 48 people were involved in the crash—42 students, four who were in the MPV, a bus driver and an attendant, said Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant operations director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad.

Thirteen students died at the scene, while another two died at the hospital, the authorities said.

Thirty-three people had injuries ranging from broken arms and legs to minor wounds.

"Upon arrival (at the scene of the incident), we found that some of the victims had managed to exit the bus on their own, some were thrown out, and others remained trapped inside," said Mr Sabarodzi.

He said rescuers had to use hydraulic cutting tools to cut open the rear of the bus to extract six victims trapped in the vehicle.

Preliminary police investigations revealed that the bus had hit the back of the MPV after losing control.