Pekan: A total of 19 passengers were in a panic after the bus they were travelling in was involved in an accident at KM77 Jalan Kuantan-Segamat near Runchang, Pekan today. Pekan district police chief Supt Mohd Zaidi Mat Zin reported that the accident occurred around 4 pm when the 53-year-old bus driver and passengers from Kolej Vokasional Muadzam Shah were on their way to attend a retirement ceremony at a hotel in town.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, initial investigations revealed that a Proton Saga car, driven by a 36-year-old man heading from Gemas, Negeri Sembilan towards Kuantan, had suddenly stopped due to a traffic jam caused by a fallen tree. Consequently, a jeep driven by a 40-year-old man, which was behind the car, also stopped. The bus, coming from the same direction, subsequently collided with the back of the jeep and skidded to the left of the road.

As a result of the accident, the bus driver sustained injuries to his hand and is currently receiving treatment at the Muadzam Shah Hospital. Fortunately, the other passengers were not hurt. Mohd Zaidi stated that the case is being investigated under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.