“The Driver Was Speeding”: UPSI Student Survives Fatal Bus Crash by Crawling Out Through Hole

In the early hours of Monday (June 9), 15 university students were killed in a collision involving a bus and a car on the East-West Highway in Banun, Hulu Perak.

The crash occurred around 1 am when a bus carrying 42 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) collided with a car (Perodua Alza).

According to the Hulu Perak Civil Defence Force (APM), they were alerted to the incident by Hospital Gerik at about 1.10 am and arrived at the scene at 2.11 am, according to Malay Mail.

The students were reportedly on their way back to UPSI in Tanjung Malim, Perak, from Terengganu after the Hari Raya Aidiladha break.

15 Dead, Dozens Injured

Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Sayani Saidon said 48 people were involved in the accident, including 42 students, the bus driver, a bus attendant, and four people in the car.

Initially, it was reported that 13 were confirmed dead at the scene. Later updates confirmed the total death toll had risen to 15 after two more succumbed to injuries in the hospital.

Thirty-one were injured, 3 out of 4 people from the car sustained minor injuries, while the other individual had a broken arm, The Star reported.

Accident Scene and Rescue Efforts

The incident happened when the bus overturned while the car skidded into a ditch.

Following this, some victims were thrown off the bus, some escaped on their own, while others were trapped inside.

Emergency responders transported the injured to Gerik Hospital using ambulances from the Health Ministry, the Civil Defence Force (APM), and Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS).

Rescue teams had to access the bus from the rear by cutting through the back of the vehicle to reach trapped passengers

Survivor: “The Bus Driver Was Speeding”

Survivor Nur Irdina Huri, 22, shared that the vehicle was swerving along the dark, hilly route shortly before the crash.

She alleged that the driver had been speeding.

“I was awake when it happened. It happened so fast,” she said.

“I escaped through a small hole. I couldn’t save my friends who were trapped. It was too dark to see anything.”

She suffered injuries to her waist and sprained her ankle.

Narrow Escape for Some

Another student from UPSI, Alia, narrowly escaped the tragedy as she had opted to return to campus earlier, according to NST.

Alia said she woke at 3 am to the news and was bombarded with calls from people who thought she was among the victims.

Prime Minister, University, and Ministry Respond

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed condolences on his Facebook and urged people to prioritise safety on the roads.

Rough translation of the post

“Such heartbreaking tragedies, which happen far too often, should serve as a lesson to all to always be cautious and never rush to reach your destination. Your lives are precious and irreplaceable,” he said.

The Prime Minister also directed the Higher Education Ministry to support the families affected by the incident.

Following this, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir said the Ministry will distribute RM2,000 (approx. S$ 607.47) in initial assistance and RM1,000 (approx. S$ 303.73) in disaster aid to the next of kin of the deceased, to help ease their burden.

UPSI stated that 42 of its students were onboard; two others who had registered for the trip did not end up boarding, according to Bernama.

The university activated an operations room to coordinate support and assigned staff to assist each family. It also reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of its students.

Dashcam Footage of Bus Overtaking Car at High Speed

In a recent update, dashcam footage of the incident has surfaced online, allegedly showing the bus involved in the crash overtaking another vehicle at a dangerously high speed shortly before the collision.

The 30-second clip, believed to have been recorded by a vehicle travelling along the same route, shows the bus accelerating past the recording vehicle on a dark road of the East-West Highway.

Moments after the overtaking at high speed, the bus appears to lose control before crashing.

Authorities Take Action Against Bus Operator

Following the accident, Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) had sent a show-cause letter to the bus operator involved.

The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is also reviewing the vehicle and conducting an audit on the bus and the company involved under Malaysia’s transport regulations

The investigations are being conducted under the Road Transport Act 1987 and the Land Public Transport Act, and authorities have already seized the bus for further examination.

Loke added that decisive steps would be taken once the investigation concludes.

He called the tragedy a reminder of the need for strict enforcement, especially for buses and heavy vehicles. He also stated that speed limiter requirements for such vehicles are being reviewed to prevent future tampering and misuse.

The minister expressed condolences to the victims’ families and thanked the Higher Education Ministry and UPSI for stepping in to support those affected.

Final Farewell to the Victims

Two of the students were laid to rest late Monday night (June 9) in their respective hometowns in Besut, Terengganu, accompanied by their family, friends, and neighbours.

Hundreds gathered to pay their last respects.

According to The Sun, the remaining 13 victims were transported from Ipoh to Terengganu, where funeral prayers were held before they were buried in their hometowns early Tuesday morning (June 10).

Watch the dashcam footage here: