Tapah: An express bus carrying 25 passengers overturned into a drain after the driver lost control of the vehicle at Kilometre 342.2 of the North-South Expressway (southbound) today. Tapah District Police chief Supt Johari Yahya reported that the incident occurred as the bus was traveling from Penang to the Southern Integrated Terminal (TBS) in Kuala Lumpur.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the police received a report on the crash at 1 pm. Investigations revealed that the driver lost control of the vehicle due to drowsiness, specifically experiencing a micro sleep. The bus sustained damage to all sides after veering off into a drain on the left side of the road. Fortunately, the 31-year-old driver and all 25 passengers managed to exit the bus with assistance from members of the public, and the driver was unharmed.

Three passengers sustained minor injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Slim River Hospital in the green zone. The remaining 22 passengers continued their journey on a replacement bus. Further investigations showed that the bus driver tested negative for drugs, and no arrests have been made so far. Checks on the bus confirmed its insurance is valid until March next year. The case is being investigated under Rule 10 of LN 166/59 for causing minor injuries.