IPOH: The bus driver involved in the fatal crash on the East-West Highway in Gerik has been advised to refrain from making any public comments until the investigation into the case is completed, says Comm Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin.
The Perak police chief said any statement from him could disrupt the ongoing investigation into the crash, which left 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students dead.
“We urge the bus driver to wait for the proper process to take place. He has every right to speak, but patience is key in such sensitive cases.
“Many technical aspects such as road conditions and vehicle operators are still being examined,” he told a press conference at the state police contingent headquarters here yesterday.
Comm Noor Hisam said they have yet to record a statement from the driver, who is still being warded at Taiping Hospital for injuries to his hand.
He said there are still many questions surrounding the bus driver.
Regarding the bus driver’s condition, Comm Noor Hisam said the investigating officer is closely following up with the hospital.
“Based on what we observed, his arm injury stretches from his fingers to the elbow. However, we will await for an official medical report.
“We are waiting for the hospital to discharge him and have sent his blood sample to the Chemistry Department for analysis,” he said.
He added that police have recorded statements from 18 individuals so far, namely 13 UPSI students who have been discharged, the multi-purpose vehicle driver, his wife, two forensic doctors from Gerik Hospital and the witness with the dashcam footage.
Comm Noor Hisam said investigations are ongoing with multiple agencies, including the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, Chemistry Department (Petaling Jaya and Perak), the Public Works Department, the Land Public Transport Agency and the police’s drone unit.
When asked if the dashcam footage that went viral has been confirmed to be of the actual crash, he said the matter is still under investigation.
He said the video is of low resolution and needs expert analysis to verify its authenticity.
He said initial findings from Puspakom’s vehicle inspections are still pending, with collected data currently being analysed by relevant agencies.
On whether any police reports have been lodged over offensive social media posts regarding the incident, Comm Noor Hisam said no reports have been lodged so far, but he urged netizens to be sensitive and avoid making sensational or defamatory remarks.
“This is a tragedy. Sympathy, not blame, is what’s needed.
“We have a team monitoring this. If any post crosses the line or a report is lodged, we will take appropriate action,” he added.
The bus crash occurred between 12.30am and 1am on Monday when the chartered bus travelling from Jertih, Terengganu, to Tanjung Malim, Perak, overturned after colliding with an MPV on the East-West Highway near Gerik.
The crash also left 33 others injured, including the bus driver, his assistant, along with the MPV driver and three passengers.
