KUANTAN: The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah, and Tunku Azizah have expressed their heartfelt condolences to the families of those who perished in the accident involving a tour bus and a trailer on Jalan Kuantan-Segamat near the Bahau junction in Rompin on Sunday.
Their Majesties conveyed their sorrow and grief and hoped that all family members would remain patient and strong in facing this ordeal.
However, Their Majesties expressed gratitude that 36 members of the group, comprising teachers from Sekolah Kebangsaan Jeram, Melaka, were safe and only sustained injuries. They prayed for their swift recovery.
In this regard, Their Majesties urged the Federal Government to support the Pahang Government in immediately assessing and taking action to ensure the safety of the road remains at a high standard for all road users.
Accidents need to be prevented, especially when traffic increases during festive seasons, school holidays, and public holidays. Therefore, swift action must be taken by all relevant authorities to prevent such incidents from reoccurring.
At the same time, road users must exercise greater caution and drive prudently. It should also be noted that drivers must be in good health and well-rested to avoid losing control or experiencing 'microsleep.'
Statistics from the Royal Malaysia Police over the past five years, from 2020 to now, have recorded 65 accidents with 79 fatalities on this road. Causes identified include fatigue, drowsiness, and negligence.
Therefore, Their Majesties believe that if these issues are jointly addressed by authorities and road users, it will not only enhance comfort but also ensure the safety of passengers and drivers, thereby reducing the risk of accidents on this road.
At 1am, a bus carrying 39 passengers, including two drivers, overturned on a slope and hit a trailer carrying a load of steel coils. The bus was transporting a group of teachers from the school together with their children to Terengganu.
The tragedy claimed the lives of four individuals: Hasnatul, school employee Hamzah Ahmad, 60, and the bus's second driver, Hadi Asyraf Mad Idris, 29. The fourth victim, Dahlia Ahmad, 52, succumbed to her injuries. Rompin district police chief DSP Nor Azman Yusof reported that the teacher died at 9.30pm while receiving treatment at Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital in Kuantan.
