Kuala Lumpur: A total of 28 people, including 13 students from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), escaped unhurt after the express bus they were travelling in crashed into the rear of a trailer at KM161.5 of the East Coast Expressway (LPT) eastbound, shortly after midnight.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Maran police chief Supt Wong Kim Wai stated that the incident occurred around 1 am while the bus was en route from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan, Kuala Lumpur, to Terminal Sentral Kuantan. Wong explained that the bus was in the left lane when it is believed to have collided with the rear of a trailer traveling in the same direction. He assured that all 28 passengers, including the drivers of both vehicles and the trailer attendant, were not injured.

Wong further mentioned that the bus passengers were transferred to another vehicle to continue their journey to Kuantan. The case is currently being investigated under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

Meanwhile, UMPSA vice-chancellor Prof Dr Yatimah Alias confirmed in a media statement that 13 of the university's students were among the passengers onboard the bus. She reported that all students safely arrived at the Gambang UMPSA campus around 4 am via a replacement bus. With the support of the Student Representative Council and the Department of Student Affairs and Alumni (JHEPA), the students were received at the Gambang UMPSA mosque and provided with food, emotional support, and temporary accommodation, especially for the seven students from the Pekan campus.

Emergency aid packs containing ready-to-eat meals and other essential items were also distributed to the affected students. Prof Dr Yatimah Alias reiterated that UMPSA remains committed to the safety and well-being of its students and continues to remind them to prioritize safety at all times.