Express bus plunges into ravine killing 14, injuring 16
MUAR: An express bus travelling north plunged into a 20m ravine at KM137.3 of North-South Expressway early yesterday, killing 14 people and injuring 16 others.
State Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Mohd Yusof Mohd Gunnos said those killed in the accident near Kampung Jayo, Pagoh, included the bus driver and his daughter Nur Natasya Zahara Zakeer.
All the 14 people killed and the 16 people injured were taken to Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital.
The Fire and Rescue Department received a distress call at 3.59am and 27 firefighters from Muar, Yong Peng and Bukit Gambir stations arrived at the scene 45 minutes later.
Mohd Yusof said the operation was completed at 7.10am.
Meanwhile, Muar police chief ACP Azman Ayob said the bus travelling from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur left Larkin Bus Station, Johor Bahru at 2am.
He believed that the speeding bus plunged into a ravine and then crashed into a concrete barrier of the tunnel at Kampung Jayo.
“The dead were six males and eight females, including a girl.
“Most of them are believed to be seated in the front rows,” he told reporters at Muar police headquarters.
Those injured were seven Malaysians (males), six Singaporeans (five males and one female), two Myanmar (males) and a female believed to be the driver’s wife.
The case was investigated under Section 41 (1) of Road Transport Act 1987. — Bernama