Driver, 2 pupils perish as school bus slams into stalled lorry
BINTULU: A bus driver and two schoolgirls were killed when a bus ferrying 22 pupils slammed into the rear of a stalled lorry along KM12 of the Bintulu-Miri coastal road early yesterday morning.
Two of the deceased were identified as Remnelan Samat, 55, and his nine-year- old daughter Nurnadia Syakila. The third was Aien Laila Aliesha Abdullah, aged 11.
Both Remnelan and Aien Laila perished at the scene of the crash while Nurnadia was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The two deceased girls are pupils of SK Kidurong II.
Another pupil, Jaf Naufal Aliuna Jaffery, 10, is reported to be in critical condition.
It is learnt that Remnelan’s son was among 14 passengers who escaped unhurt. Six others, including the assistant driver, sustained light injuries.
State Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Supt Alexson Naga Chabu said the accident occurred around 6am near the Sebubu plantation.
He said the school bus was heading towards town from Samalaju when it crashed into the rear of the lorry, which had broken down by the side of the road.
“There were 24 persons onboard the bus, comprising 22 pupils, the driver and an assistant driver.
“Initial investigation indicates negligence by the lorry driver as the cause of the accident. The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987,” said Alexson in a statement.
The Fire and Rescue Department ( Bomba) deployed 12 personnel to the scene, some 42km from the fire station here, following a distress call at 6.12am.
A Bomba spokesperson said rescue tools were needed to extricate the victims from the wreckage, with the injured sent to Bintulu Hospital for treatment.
There were 24 persons onboard the bus, comprising 22 pupils, the driver and an assistant driver. Initial investigation indicates negligence by the lorry driver as the cause of the accident. Supt Alexson Naga Chabu, State Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief