PETALING JAYA: The bus involved in the recent crash in Gerik, early on Monday (June 6) morning was speeding, claims a survivor.
"I was dozing off, half asleep. Suddenly, I was startled because the bus was going so fast. I closed my eyes for a moment, and suddenly the bus had overturned," Nurrin Najwa Mohd Azmi told Malay newsportal mStar.com.my.
The 20-year-old student was one of 48 people involved in the tragic accident on the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, Gerik, that claimed 15 lives.
"My seat was in the middle left section, the side where the bus fell. At that moment, I was the only one conscious. I saw that everyone else had fainted.
"I cried because there was no one there at that time. I couldn't find my friend who was sitting next to me. It was dark," she said.
According to the second-year Chemistry Education student, she managed to get out of the bus after being helped by two individuals at the scene.
She recalled that many of the victims were still unconscious when she tried to escape.
"My leg was stuck near the seat, I couldn't get out. So I tried on my own until two people came to help.
"I forced myself to exit through the broken window. It was hard to pass through because I was afraid of stepping on (the victims).
"After getting out, two men helped me and told me to inform my parents about the incident," she recounted, still in shock.
Nurrin added that she was taken to Gerik Hospital, where she was confirmed to have only suffered minor injuries and has been allowed to return home.
"My injuries aren't severe. I have injuries to my head and shoulder. The doctor said my head hit hard, there's swelling. I also had an X-ray on my shoulder, there's a slight issue, but it's not broken.
"I was discharged this morning and picked up by my father, and am now on my way home to Setiu," Nurrin added.
She mentioned that she boarded the bus from Jerteh with a fare of RM60.
The bus was reportedly chartered by a group of students from Jerteh to Tanjung Malim in Perak after returning from celebrating Aidiladha.
