CHRISTMAS HORROR: Bus crash leaves 14 dead and 17 injured on Xmas Eve
FOURTEEN people have been killed and 17 injured after a bus crashed into a ravine in Malaysia early this morning.
The bus plunged 20ft into the ditch below the North-South Expressway
The express bus, run by Alisan Golden Coach, plunged 20ft into the ditch below the North-South Expressway near the west coast of Muar after the driver lost control of the vehicle.
Muar police department's Azman Ayob said the bus, carrying 30 passengers, was travelling from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur when it crashed through the a concrete barrier near a tunnel.
Eye witness Ahmad Fahmi Khairuddin,19, saw the bus “flying” before it brushed against an electrical pole and into a concrete barrier.
He said: “I heard a loud sound. It was three times louder than that of a tyre explosion.”
The driver was believed to be speeding
Seven women, a young girl and six men were killed in the incident, including the driver.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released, but there are believe to be six people from Singapore on board.
Prime Minister Najib Razak offered his condolences on Twitter, saying: “Sad about news of the bus tragedy in Johor that took 14 lives.
“Condolences to the victims’ families, I pray that the injured will recover. God willing,”
The crash injured 17 and killed 14 people
The bus was on its way to Kuala Lumpur from Johor Baru
I heard a loud sound. It was three times louder than that of a tyre explosion
It is not yet known what the caused the bus to skid off the road but reports have suggested the driver may have been speeding at the time.
Initial investigations showed the road was in good condition.
Malaysia's Deputy Transport Minister Ab Aziz Kaprawi has called on his department to work with traffic police to ensure sure a tragedy does not occur again.
Initial investigations showed the road was in good condition
Posting on Facebook, he said he has requested authorities to make careful checks on express buses and to monitor the health of bus drivers.
He added: “For road users, this is a reminder to us all to be more careful in our driving.”
Today’s incident is thought to be the worst involving buses since the 2013 Genting Highlands crash that killed 37 people.