GERIK: It was meant to be a quiet overnight journey home after the festive break, but it turned into a hellish nightmare for a busload of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students.
Among the shaken survivors was Nur Irdina Huri, 22, who vividly recalled the moment panic shattered the silence on the winding hills in Gerik.
“I was awake when it happened; it all unfolded so quickly. I managed to crawl out through a small opening, but I couldn’t help my friends because it was too dark,” said the Early Childhood Education student, her voice trembling as she recalled the scene.
Nur Irdina suffered a sprained leg and injuries to her waist.
Just before the crash, she said, there were whispered fears, the smell of something burning and desperate prayers. She claimed the bus had been speeding and swerving erratically, and there was a strange burning smell while descending a hilly stretch.
A total of 15 students were killed and 27 others injured in the tragedy.
The accident happened between 12.30am and 1am yesterday when the chartered bus travelling from Terengganu to Tanjung Malim, Perak, rammed the rear of a multipurpose vehicle (MPV).
Fellow survivor Aleeya Maisarah Azizzani, 21, shared a similar account of panic and fear.
She said the journey began at around 9pm in Jerteh, Terengganu, with the bus bound for Tanjung Malim, where UPSI is located.
“Some passengers mentioned a burning smell earlier on, but I only noticed it near Tanah Merah [Kelantan]. I assumed the driver would stop and check,” said Aleeya, who is pursuing a degree in Arabic Education.
As the bus descended a hilly area near Jeli, Kelantan, she recalled it picking up speed and hitting a pothole, nearly swerving off to the right.
“I was sitting on the right side and started getting nervous. I recited prayers. The driver slowed down for a bit but suddenly sped up again,” she said.
After that moment, Aleeya said she remained awake due to a growing sense of unease. The bus later took a sharp turn, veered left and slammed into a road divider.
“I didn’t even know an MPV was involved since I was seated at the back. After the crash, I could only get myself out. My back was hurting badly and I could not help anyone else.
“Some of my friends were screaming. Others were trapped with injured legs. Some had already gone silent,” she said, breaking down in tears.
Aleeya added that after she climbed out of the wreckage, she saw someone lying in a drain.
“At first, I thought the person was unconscious. But then I heard someone say that the head had cracked open,” she said.
“I used someone’s phone to call my family, but it was 3am and no one picked up at first. Eventually, they answered.”
Aleeya sustained a bump on her head, a sprained leg and back injuries. Her family later arrived to take her back to her hometown in Besut, Terengganu.
