Bus driver, 18 tourists injured in Sabah accident believed to be drugs-linked

KOTA KINABALU: A tour bus driver and 18 Korean tourists were injured when the bus they were in lost control when driving down a steep road at Jalan Kelawat here.

"The bus skidded and overturned, causing all in the bus including the driver to sustain minor injuries," said Kota Belud police chief Supt Mohd Zaidi Abdullah

The Korean victims in the accident that took place at 5.30pm on Monday (Dec 10) include six girls, two boys, four men and six women.

All have all been taken to the Kota Belud hospital for treatment.

Supt Zaidi said following the mishap, the driver was seen discarding a red bag.

"Upon inspection, police found that the red bag contained syabu sniffing items and a small packet filled with what is believed to be methamphetamines," he said.

He said the driver is believed to have been using drugs prior to driving the Korean tourists from a resort.

"They were heading to Kg. Rampayan Laut Kota Belud for a visit," Supt Zaidi said adding the driver's blood and urine samples will be taken for drug tests. The investigation is ongoing," he said.

Earlier, Sabah Fire and Rescue Department operation chief Khatizah Rahaban said the victims were given preliminary medical treatment at the scene.