IPOH: A Japanese woman, who was involved in a bus and lorry accident at KM230 southbound on the North-South Expressway on Thursday, has succumbed to her injuries.
Perak police chief Comm Datuk Azizi Mat Aris confirmed that the 73-year-old victim died at Kuala Kangsar Hospital that night.
"We received a report about her death at about 9pm," he stated.
A post-mortem determined the cause of death as chest and abdominal injuries due to the road traffic collision.
Comm Azizi shared this information during a press conference after a nasyid contest held by the state police contingent at the state secretariat building on Friday (Oct 25).
It was reported that 13 people, including 11 Japanese citizens aged between 58 and 80, were injured when the bus they were travelling in crashed into the back of a lorry at about 1.30pm.
The tourists were en route to Cameron Highlands from Penang at the time of the accident.
The other two injured victims were a 56-year-old tour guide and a 41-year-old bus driver.
Comm Azizi mentioned that two Japanese tourists are still hospitalised in Taiping Hospital but are in stable condition, while the others received outpatient treatment at Kuala Kangsar Hospital.
He also noted that the bus driver is being treated at Kuala Kangsar for facial and bodily injuries, although the lorry driver, aged 40, was unharmed.
"We've taken blood and urine samples from the bus driver for investigation," Comm Azizi said.
He added, "We understand that he has a previous record and we are looking into it."
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act.
"We have yet to determine the cause of the incident, whether it involved human elements or technical issues," he explained.
"We will detain him for investigations later," he added, urging witnesses of the accident to come forward to assist the police with the investigation.
Comm Azizi said the police have contacted the Japanese Embassy to provide assistance to the victims still in Taiping.
"We will also try to offer our assistance to those who have been traumatised by the incident," he concluded.
