BENTONG: The 32-year-old driver of a tour bus that overturned, killing two passengers at Km 16.5 of Jalan Genting-Bentong near here today, does not have a driving licence.
Bentong district police chief Superintendent Zaiham Mohd Kahar said the man has 27 previous traffic summonses.
"The summonses were issued for various traffic offences, including not possessing a driving licence. The driver operated the bus today without a licence.
"Twenty-one people, including 18 foreign passengers and three locals (the driver, his assistant, and a tour guide), were on the bus," he said, adding that the driver had not been arrested as he is still receiving treatment from the crash.
Zaiham said initial investigations revealed the bus driver likely lost control of the vehicle while traveling downhill before crashing into the concrete divider.
He said the two male passengers who were killed in the incident were identified as Zhang Ping, 58, and Wang Shuhong, 49, both Chinese nationals. They succumbed to their injuries on the spot.
"Thirteen passengers are being treated at Hospital Kuala Lumpur, while six are at Bentong Hospital. The remains of the two passengers were taken to Bentong Hospital for post-mortem.
"Witnesses are urged to come forward to assist police by contacting the Bentong district police headquarters," he said.
In the 10:40 am mishap, two passengers were killed, and 19 others were injured after a tour bus landed on its side while traveling downhill along Jalan Genting-Bentong today.