Show of support: Noraini speaking to the media while visiting the accident victims from UPSI at HRPB in Ipoh. — Bernama
IPOH: Abdul Wafiy Kamarudin will never forget the ordeal he suffered in the tragic bus accident in Gerik.
First, he was flung out of the bus, and then another student came hurling onto him.
To his horror, the 23-year-old realised that the student on top of him was dead.
Abdul Wafiy was shocked, and the experience of pushing the body aside to get up will continue to traumatise him.
The Bachelor of Arts – Education undergraduate from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) said he was on his phone when he noticed the bus speeding downhill on the winding road.
Traumatic scene: Abdul Wafiy recounting what he encountered during the fatal accident that claimed the lives of 15 UPSI students and injured 27 others, in front of the Gerik district police headquarters. — Bernama
“The driver had briefly stopped to check the brakes but then continued the journey.
“Suddenly, at around 1am, the bus overturned, and I was thrown out of the window into a ditch,” he told Bernama.
Amid the chaos, Abdul Wafiy was shocked to find a body on top of him.
Despite the ordeal, the youngest of six siblings from Kampung Pak Kancil in Setiu, Terengganu, expressed gratitude that he had only sustained minor injuries to his hands and face.
Abdul Wafiy was not the only one to notice that the bus was speeding.
A new claim has emerged that the driver did not slow down despite pleas from passengers.
Lili Suzana Mat Yaakob, 23, one of the injured passengers, told Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad that they had asked the driver to slow down.
However, the driver allegedly continued at high speed, Lili Suzana told Noraini, who visited her at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB) here yesterday.
Noraini said Lili Suzana had told her she was asleep when her friend woke her up, saying the bus was going too fast.
“Of course, she is traumatised. Anyone would be, especially in an accident where the vehicle overturned. That is why we are offering counselling services,” Noraini told reporters.
Another UPSI student warded at the hospital, Nor Erika Elysha Mohd Zaidi, 21, remained semi-conscious due to medication.
“Both students are stable but still require further treatment.
“Lili Suzana was worried about her fellow passengers, but we advised her not to worry too much.
“UPSI, the hospital and the Social Welfare Department (JKM) are providing support and assistance to them,” she added.
Noraini said the ministry was also extending counselling and welfare support to students and their families.
She said that in addition to psychological support, the ministry is also channelling donations through JKM and the National Welfare Foundation.
She said assistance would also be given to the driver of the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) and his family, who were also involved in the accident.
“JKM officers will visit them, and if there is any need, we will provide the necessary assistance,” she said.
HRPB director Dr Saiful Azlan Sharif said the two students are currently stable and have been admitted to regular wards.
He said both victims appeared to have head injuries initially, but further investigations revealed that their injuries were not as serious as suspected.
“However, Lili Suzana’s injuries were more significant but not critical. She is conscious.
“As for Nor Erika, she suffered multiple fractures, including a serious injury to her arm,” he said.
