Bus ferrying Covid-19 patients crashes; driver also tests positive

KUALA LUMPUR: The driver of a bus ferrying 40 Covid-19 patients involved in an accident at the UPM Toll Plaza in Serdang yesterday afternoon, has also been confirmed positive for the disease.

Selangor Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Supt Azman Shari’at said the 41-year-old driver who suffered a leg injury in the incident was sent to the Serdang Hospital for treatment where a Covid-19 screening was carried out on him.

A urine drug test also came back negative, he said, adding that investigations were still ongoing.

“In the incident at about 2 pm, the bus carrying 40 passengers went out of control before skidding into the Touch ‘n Go lane and crashing into the toll booth.

“The crash is believed to be due to the failure of the bus’ braking system, based on a statement from the bus driver,” he told Bernama.

The bus was among a convoy of 11 buses ferrying 431 Covid19 patients from the Changkat Jong Cluster from Teluk Intan, Perak to the Covid-19 Quarantine and Low-Risk Treatment Centre (PKRC) MAEPS 2.0 in Serdang, Selangor.

All the passengers, including eight who were injured, were taken to PKRC MAEPS 2.0 for treatment.