15 UPSI Students Killed In Tragic MPV-Bus Collision

A bus transporting students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and an MPV were involved in a devastating collision near Tasik Banding on the Gerik-Jeli Highway. The accident, occurring early this morning has claimed the lives of at least 15 people.

The Hulu Perak Civil Defence Force operations control centre reported that 48 individuals were involved in the incident. The emergency services were first notified of the crash by Hospital Gerik at 1:10 AM.


“Upon arrival at the scene, a road accident involving an overturned bus and a Perodua Alza MPV was discovered. Thirteen victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries at hospital,” the report read.

UPSI Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Md. Amin Md. Taff confirmed the news in a Facebook post, stating, "UPSI is in mourning."

Reports indicate that the bus transporting UPSI students was travelling from Jerteh, Terengganu to the university's Tanjong Malim, Perak campus.

The MPV and the bus were both travelling in the same direction, from Jeli, Kelantan towards Gerik when the collision happened, causing the MPV to veer into a roadside ditch and the bus to overturn, according to a separate statement from Sayani Saidon, director of the Perak Fire and Rescue Department, as cited by Bernama.

“The accident involved a total of 48 victims. Some managed to escape on their own, others were thrown from the vehicle, while several remained trapped inside the bus,” she confirmed, adding that the rescue team employed the 'saver' strategy, using hydraulic tools to access the bus's rear.


Bernama also quoted UPSI deputy vice-chancellor (student affairs and alumni) Norkhalid Salimin, who confirmed the majority of the passengers on the bus were students returning to campus following their Aidiladha break.

“They had gathered in Jerteh and chartered a private bus to return to campus after celebrating the festive break in their hometowns,” he said.