Ayer hitam: The tour bus involved in a pre-dawn accident at Kilometer 80.7 of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) near Ayer Hitam was carrying 45 Indonesian plantation workers from Lombok, Indonesia. The accident also involved two other lorries.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Consul of the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Johor Bahru, Jati Heri Winarto, stated that these workers were part of a 55-member group that arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) around 9 pm and proceeded to Johor Bahru. Forty-five workers boarded the bus, while 10 others took a van before the bus met with the accident.
The incident resulted in the deaths of two individuals, identified as Hidirman, 43, and Zulhadi, 44, who were pronounced dead at the scene. Another victim, Nusiah, sustained severe injuries and is receiving treatment at the emergency unit of Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital (HSNI). Fourteen other workers with minor injuries received treatment at the same hospital and have been discharged to continue their journey.
Firefighters confirmed that the accident, involving a bus and two lorries, occurred around 12:27 am, resulting in two fatalities and 16 injuries. Jati Heri mentioned that as of 2:30 pm, post-mortem examinations for the deceased were ongoing, and the severely injured victim was still under treatment after losing her left hand and suffering fractured ribs.
The Indonesian Consulate is coordinating the repatriation of the bodies to Lombok and arranging for appropriate compensation through the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso).
Batu Pahat District Police Chief ACP Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani reported that the accident happened when the bus rear-ended a tanker lorry being towed by another lorry. The bus driver sustained injuries to his shoulder, ribs, and hand, while five passengers reported head pain. The drivers of the tanker and towing lorry, along with the remaining passengers, were unharmed.
The case is under investigation according to Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.