UPSI Bus Crash: Post-mortem On 15 Fatal Crash Victims Completed After 17 Hours, Six Identified

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 (Bernama) -- Seventeen hours after the fatal crash involving a bus carrying Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students shocked the nation early today, post-mortem examinations on the 15 victims have been completed, with the identities of six individuals officially confirmed.

As of 5.30 pm today, the identified victims are Sufea Adela Maslihaizan, 21; Mohammad Aqil Taqiudin, 21; Anis Soffiyya Md Zaidi, 20; Nur Ainul Qistina Mat Ali, 21; Muhammad Adib Hazim Halim, 21; and Wan Nur Suhaila Wan Muhammad, 22.

The information was conveyed by Perak Police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin to reporters at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB) in Ipoh, Perak, this evening.

Earlier, post-mortem procedures on the bodies of Muhammad Adib Hazim and Wan Nur Suhaila were conducted at Gerik Hospital, Hulu Perak, while the remaining 13 were examined at the HRPB Forensic Department.

Previously, Perak Health director Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha said three forensic teams were assigned to conduct the autopsies, which were expected to be completed by midnight due to the condition of the bodies and the identification process by the families.

The heartbreaking incident at KM53 of the East-West Highway (JRTB) in Banun, near Tasik Banding, Gerik, Perak, occurred between 12.30 am and 1 am, when a chartered bus carrying students from the UPSI Tanjung Malim campus overturned after reportedly hitting the rear of a Perodua Alza multipurpose vehicle (MPV).

The bus, carrying 42 students aged between 21 and 23 who were returning to campus after the Aidiladha break, had departed from Jertih, Terengganu, at 9 pm.

In a related development, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri assured that psychosocial support, counselling, and other necessary aid would be immediately provided to the families of the deceased.

She said officers from the Social Welfare Department (JKM) would be mobilised to assist the families, particularly in managing their emotional wellbeing and welfare needs.

Meanwhile, in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, the company that operated the bus involved in the crash denied allegations of using a lorry driver as a relief driver for the vehicle.

Syarikat Kenari Utara operations officer Mohd Nazri Nawi said the allegations were completely untrue as his company had conducted thorough checks before hiring the back-up driver, since the original driver was still on leave.

“We never appoint bus drivers haphazardly without screening. We admit the replacement driver was sourced from another bus company, but he has experience driving buses, including on long-distance routes... he is not a lorry driver, as alleged,” he told reporters at the Noreen Group Operations Office in Tunjong here today.

Even almost 20 hours after the tragedy, the nation remains in shock and saddened over what is regarded as one of the worst crashes involving a tour bus.

Condolences and prayers from Cabinet members, community leaders, and people from all walks of life continued to flood social media until this evening, with many also expressing hope that the victims' families would remain strong during this difficult time.

-- BERNAMA