---
title: "‘I’m Sorry’ – Bus Driver Apologises After Tragic UPSI Crash Claims 15 Lives"
url: https://weirdkaya.com/im-sorry-bus-driver-apologises-after-tragic-upsi-crash-claims-15-lives/
date: 2025-06-10
modified: 2025-06-10
lang: en
author: "Nanthini Suresh"
description: "The nation was left in mourning after a devastating bus crash along the Jeli-Gerik Highway claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students. Now, the driver of..."
categories:
  - "Society"
tags:
  - "#Trending"
  - "gerik"
  - "UPSI"
image: https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/im-sorry-bus-driver-apologises-after-tragic-upsi-crash-claims-15-lives.webp
word_count: 411
---

# ‘I’m Sorry’ – Bus Driver Apologises After Tragic UPSI Crash Claims 15 Lives

##### The nation was left in mourning after a devastating bus crash along the Jeli-Gerik Highway claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students.

Now, the driver of the bus involved in the tragedy has broken his silence and offered a heartfelt apology.

![UPSI bus crash](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/504937937-24240435092209007-1677182267213518935-n.webp)Photo via [FB/Mohd Azam Bin Maktar](https://www.facebook.com/mohd.maktar/posts/pfbid0ppkRwsUgMx8hS8fFCZrdFSaztyaNDADgWGsfmyS3cR5p39hNQC2U5if2nhyCQeTSl)

## ‘I’m so sorry’

Lying in a hospital bed in Taiping, 39-year-old Mohd Amirul Fadhil Zulkifle shared his heartfelt regret over the crash, as reported by [NST](https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/06/1228342/updated-gerik-crash-im-sorry%E2%80%A6-brakes-failed-suddenly-says-bus-driver).

> **I wish to apologise to the families of the victims and to the students involved in the crash. What happened was due to a sudden brake failure,” he said.**

Amirul, who has been a bus driver since 2016, said the journey began in Terengganu with no signs of trouble.

But things took a terrifying turn near the elephant crossing bridge in Gerik when both the brake and air systems failed without warning.

## ‘I tried everything, but nothing worked’

![upsi-1-1](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/upsi-1-1.webp)Photo via[ The Borneo Post](https://www.theborneopost.com/2025/06/09/upsi-confirms-42-of-its-students-involved-in-fatal-gerik-bus-crash/)

Recounting the incident, Amirul said he struggled to maintain control as the bus sped downhill.

> **I tried everything I could but without air pressure, the brakes and handbrake were useless. I couldn’t even change gears. I remember swerving past at least four vehicles, including a lorry. The last one had a dashcam. I wasn’t speeding I was trying not to hit anyone.”**

He estimated the bus travelled over a kilometre with failed brakes.

“I know the Jeli-Gerik road well. I was especially cautious because it’s a downhill stretch. I shouted to the students to brace for impact, but many were asleep. Some thought I was shouting in anger.” he explained.

## ‘I crawled out & cried’

When the bus overturned, Amirul briefly lost consciousness.

> **I woke up and shouted for the students to escape through the broken front windscreen. I crawled out and saw them... I cried. I was devastated.”**

With a fractured left arm, Amirul is now awaiting surgery. But the emotional scars, he admits, run far deeper.

**“This is the first fatal accident I’ve ever had in all my years of driving. I feel an overwhelming sense of guilt. But I can’t undo what’s happened. All I can do now is apologise and let the authorities investigate.”**

### Police investigations underway

Preliminary police findings suggest the crash occurred after the bus rear-ended a Perodua Alza, causing it to overturn.

The vehicle was carrying [42 UPSI ](https://weirdkaya.com/15-upsi-students-tragically-killed-in-horrific-crash-along-east-west-highway/)students, a bus attendant, and Amirul at the time.

The investigation is ongoing.

READ [ALSO](https://weirdkaya.com/15-upsi-students-tragically-killed-in-horrific-crash-along-east-west-highway/):

https://weirdkaya.com/15-upsi-students-tragically-killed-in-horrific-crash-along-east-west-highway/

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