Crash near Menora Tunnel due to runaway bus’ faulty brakes

IPOH: Faulty brakes were the cause of the traffic chaos near the Menora Tunnel on the North-South Expressway on Sunday, when a bus rammed into 10 vehicles.

The incident, which occurred at 2.45pm at KM265.8 on the southbound lane, caused a massive traffic jam from the Kuala Kangsar exit to Jelapang, and from Bukit Gantang to Bukit Berapit.

Ipoh OCPD Assistant Commissioner Sum Chang Keong said investigations found that the bus, which was heading from Penang to Kuala Lumpur, experienced a technical problem when it was travelling down a slope near the site of the incident.

“The brakes weren’t functioning well. As a result, the bus headed down the slope at high speed and rammed into 10 other cars in front,” he said.

ACP Sum confirmed that a 21-year-old girl, who was a passenger in one of the cars, suffered pain in the stomach area.

“No one was seriously injured in the incident,” he said.

ACP Sum added that the bus driver’s urine test for drugs returned negative.

The 51-year-old driver from Johor will be remanded Monday morning to assist in investigations under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless driving.