A devastating bus accident involving Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students took place in the early hours of June 9, 2025, yesterday, along the Jeli–Gerik road near Tasik Banding, Perak.
The tragedy claimed 15 lives, injured many more, and left a deep impact on the nation.
Here is a comprehensive timeline of the incident, rescue efforts, and ongoing investigations.
How and where the crash happened
According to Malay Mail, the incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. when Gerik Hospital alerted Hulu Perak’s Civil Defence Force about a major road accident.
A chartered bus transporting students back to campus after the Aidiladha break had overturned after colliding with a Perodua Alza MPV along the East–West Highway near Tasik Banding.
Initial police findings confirmed that the bus rear-ended the MPV, sending it into a ditch and causing the bus to topple. Both vehicles had been traveling from Jeli, Kelantan toward Gerik, Perak.
Immediate rescue response after the 1:00 a.m. crash
Within minutes of the alert, emergency responders were mobilised. Rescue teams from Gerik and Jeli reached the crash site by 2:11 a.m. and launched an extensive effort to assist the victims.
The scene was described as chaotic. Some students had been thrown out of the bus, others were trapped, and a few managed to escape on their own.
Firefighters used hydraulic equipment to cut open the rear of the bus, where they discovered six people still inside. Four of them were already deceased.
A bystander, Shahruldi Mahafiz, told The Star that he attempted to turn off the bus engine after the crash to prevent a fire but could not fully shut it down.
Deaths and injuries: The full breakdown of victims
According to The Star and Malay Mail, 48 people were involved in the crash. As of 5:00 a.m., the casualty breakdown was as follows:
- 15 confirmed dead (13 died at the scene, 2 died en route to the hospital)
- 7 critically injured
- 31 sustained various injuries
- 4 victims from the MPV, including two children aged 2 and 6, were injured — one with a broken arm
The father of the MPV family was later discharged, while the others remained hospitalised in Baling, Kedah.
Who was on the bus: UPSI students returning from holiday
Most passengers on the bus were UPSI students aged between 21 and 23.
The university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni, Prof Dr Norkhalid Salimin, confirmed that the students had gathered in Jerteh, Terengganu to head back to campus in Tanjong Malim.
The 15 lives lost included 14 students and a bus attendant. Six of the victims have been publicly identified, leaving families, friends, and classmates mourning their loss.
Firsthand accounts offer glimpses of what happened
Survivors began to share what they experienced just before the crash. One mentioned a strong smell of burnt brakes, indicating that the bus might have been struggling to stop on the winding downhill road.
In another account reported by Sinar Harian, Nur Adilah Mohd Rusdi, a 20-year-old UPSI student, said she narrowly avoided being on the bus after arriving late by just 15 minutes. She had waited for her father to finish prayers before leaving. Shockingly, she later discovered that her name was mistakenly listed among the passengers.
A deep dive Into the cause
With the scale of the incident, authorities immediately launched a full-scale investigation. The case is now being handled under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless or dangerous driving resulting in death.
A special task force involving JPJ, Puspakom, MIROS, and SPAD has been formed to examine several angles, including:
- The bus drivers’ records
- The mechanical condition of the bus
- Road design and lighting
- Whether speeding or brake failure occurred
So far, initial findings point to a rear-end collision as the catalyst.
National reaction and government action
The tragedy quickly gained nationwide attention. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his condolences and directed the Higher Education Ministry to support the victims’ families.
Financial aid was swiftly announced:
- RM2,000 in immediate assistance
- RM1,000 in disaster relief
Even the Sultan of Perak responded, urging for improved road safety measures, especially for long-distance travel involving students.
What comes next?
As families mourn and the nation reels from this heartbreaking event, investigations continue.
Authorities are expected to release further findings soon, and there is increasing pressure for better safety regulations and bus operator accountability.
For now, Malaysians hold space for the victims and their loved ones.
Al-Fatihah to those who lost their lives. May the survivors find healing, and may this tragedy serve as a wake-up call for safer roads ahead.
