MERSING: A total of 15 passengers were injured when a bus driver lost control of the vehicle, went over the divider and ended up in a ditch at Km17 of the Nitar Road – Mersing near the Felda Farm in Nitar at 12.35pm last night.
The accident occurred when the bus driver, 59, was en route from Melaka to Mersing with 32 passengers, including 10 students from Johor Mersing Polytechnic (PMJ), were on their way to their respective hostels after Chinese New Year celebrations.
Only one passenger, a woman, who hasn’t been identified and was on her way to Endau, sustained severe injuries to her left ribs and fractured her left hand. She was admitted to Mersing Hospital.
Others injured received treatment at Felda’s Health Clinic Nitar 1 and at Mersing Hospital.
Mersing Fire and Rescue Department officer Sarhan Akmal Mohamad said the rescue operation was carried out after receiving a distress call at 12.43am.
According to him, six firefighters, one special equipment and an ambulance were rushed to the scene.
“Upon arrival, several of the passengers, including the driver, received treatment from the paramedics,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mersing District Police Chief, Superintendent Cyril Edward Nuing said a preliminary check showed the bus had skidded before it was flung into the trench by the roadside.
He said the weather was good condition but noted that the location was known for its sharp turn.
“The bus driver was taken to the Investigation and Traffic Enforcement Division of Mersing District Police Headquarters (IPD) to assist in the investigation,” he said.