UPSI bus tragedy: Firemen forced to cut rear section to rescue victims
The bus was reported to have overturned, while the Perodua Alza skidded into a ditch.
SHAH ALAM – The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) was forced to cut open the rear section of a tour bus using special hydraulic equipment to free victims trapped in a crash involving a bus carrying students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and a Perodua Alza.
The accident occurred on the East-West Highway (JRTB) near Tasik Banding, Gerik, Perak, on Monday.
The Perak JBPM Operations Centre reported that two seriously injured victims and four deceased were successfully extricated by firefighters before being handed over to medical personnel and the police.
The bus was reported to have overturned, while the Perodua Alza skidded into a ditch.
“Some victims managed to get out on their own, some were thrown out and others were still inside the bus.
“So far, 13 victims from the bus have been confirmed dead and 31 injured, while three victims from the Perodua Alza sustained minor injuries and one with a broken arm was rescued by the public before the arrival of the fire department,” it said in a statement on Monday.
In the incident, a bus carrying 36 UPSI students reportedly lost control while returning from a community service programme in Kelantan.
A total of 15 students were confirmed dead, while the rest sustained varying degrees of injuries and are being treated at Gerik Hospital and Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh.
The rescue operation involved 17 personnel from the Gerik and Jeli Fire and Rescue Stations (BBP), as well as police and Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) personnel.
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