MANJUNG: Two were critically injured, while 19 others were injured in an accident involving an express bus and a four-wheel drive vehicle on the Ipoh-Lumut Highway near Changkat Cermin, here, today.
Assistant Director of Operations of the Perak Fire and Rescue Department, Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad, said personnel from the Ayer Tawar Fire and Rescue Station were rushed to the scene after receiving an emergency call at 5.38pm.
He said the accident involved 21 victims, including a bus driver, 19 bus passengers, and a Toyota Hilux driver.
"Upon arrival at the scene, it was found that the accident involved a Toyota Hilux veering off into the road divider and an express bus veering off into the ditch.
"No victims were trapped, however, there were two critically injured victims, a male bus driver and a female passenger from the involved express bus.
"The operation commander instructed the firefighters to provide initial treatment to the critically injured victims with the assistance of medical officers," he said in a statement today.
He said the critically injured victims were sent to Seri Manjung Hospital using the Emergency Medical Response Service (EMRS) vehicle from the Manjung Fire and Rescue Station and Health Ministry ambulance.
"The victims with minor injuries were also sent to the same hospital for further treatment, and the rescue operation was concluded at 7.17 pm," he said.
Meanwhile, Manjung District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Mohamed Nordin Abdullah, said preliminary police investigations found that both vehicles were traveling from Lumut to Ipoh.
"The accident was caused by the Toyota Hilux suddenly changing lanes from the right to the left. The involved express bus failed to brake and veered off into the ditch on the roadside.
"The case is being investigated under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987," he said when contacted tonight.