SINGAPORE/SHAH ALAM (The Straits Times/ANN): One person was killed after an express bus in Malaysia’s Selangor state lost control and crashed into a signpost early on Oct 11.
The other people on the Super Nice bus, including five Singaporeans, were injured.
There were 29 people in total on the bus travelling from Boon Lay to Ipoh, Perak.
According to state news agency Bernama, Kajang police chief Naazron Abdul Yusof said on Oct 11 that the bus was at the 293km mark of Malaysia’s North-South Expressway when the accident happened at about 3.15am.
“The total number of passengers, including the driver, was 29 people, comprising 24 Malaysians and five Singaporeans,” he was quoted as saying.
The passenger who died was a 59-year-old Malaysian man who worked in the construction sector in Singapore. He was reportedly sitting in the front seat of the bus and died from severe head injuries.
The other people on the bus received treatment at five different hospitals – Hospital Sultan Idris Shah Serdang, Hospital Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin Kajang, Hospital Putrajaya, Hospital Cyberjaya, and Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar Seremban.
Selangor Fire and Rescue Department’s assistant director of operations, Mr Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar, had earlier said on Oct 11 that the dead passenger was found trapped at the scene, reported local media outlet Free Malaysia Today.
Three people were able to exit the bus before fire and rescue personnel arrived at the scene, said Mr Ahmad.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Naazron said the case is being investigated for reckless driving causing death, which carries a penalty of five to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine not exceeding RM50,000 (S$15,360), and disqualification from holding a driving licence for at least five years.
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it has, through the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, rendered consular assistance to the affected Singaporeans and their families.
“We wish the injured a smooth and speedy recovery,” said a spokesperson on Oct 12.
The Straits Times has contacted the bus company for more information. - The Straits Times/ANN
