Gerik Tragedy: Survivor Recalls Bus Was Speeding Before Crash

A survivor of the fatal Gerik bus accident recounted the bus traveling at high speed just before it veered off the road early this morning. Another survivor who sustained injuries reported smelling something burning shortly before the tragedy.

Nik Khairulnisa Ruzmi, 23, a third-year History Education student at UPSI, told Sinar Harian earlier that she remembered the crash happened when the majority of the passengers were asleep after returning from the Aidiladha break. "We were already off the road before we knew it," she said.

“It happened around 1am. I was asleep but woke up to the bus speeding. Then suddenly, we were off the road. I didn’t know who made it out. I tried calling out to friends, but there was no response,” she told the Malay publication.


Earlier, it was reported that 15 UPSI students were killed after the bus they were travelling crashed into an MPV near Gerik. The accident occurred when the bus overturned and the car veered into a ditch, with both vehicles heading from Jeli towards Gerik.

To aid ongoing investigations, the Public Works Department (JKR) and the highway maintenance concessionaire have been directed to provide technical assistance and support.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi emphasized his close monitoring of the rescue operations led by the Health Ministry, police, Civil Defence Force, Fire and Rescue Department, and other involved agencies.
Nanta affirmed that the ministry will keep a careful eye on the inquiry and provide the authorities with its full cooperation to guarantee that justice and public safety are maintained. “My team and I will continue to follow developments and support the investigation," he said in a Facebook post.