UPSI Bus Driver Had 18 Traffic Summonses Including for Speeding, Claims Brake Failure Caused Crash

Today, police confirmed that the driver of the chartered bus, Mohd Amirul Fadhil Zulkifle, 39, has a record of 18 prior traffic summonses.

According to NST, a check on the driver's record revealed that 13 of the 18 summonses were for speeding, one was for an accident-related offence, three for not wearing a seatbelt, and one for a faulty third brake light.

Federal Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri also stated that the bus itself had 21 traffic summonses linked to it.

“Five of the summonses are still under investigation, while the rest have been settled in court,” he said.

The driver is currently being treated at Taiping Hospital

While receiving treatment, Amirul issued an apology to the victims’ families and the other students involved in the crash.

According to him, the crash occurred due to a sudden brake failure as the bus was passing near the elephant crossing bridge in Gerik.

“The brakes stopped working without warning, and at the same time, the air system failed."

"I tried everything I could, but without air pressure, nothing worked. The handbrake was unresponsive, and I couldn't shift gears. I did my best to avoid other vehicles. I remember swerving past at least four, including a lorry, before the crash happened."

"The last vehicle I overtook had a dashcam. I wasn't speeding. I was trying to avoid crashing into other cars. But the road was winding, and I had no control left. I wish to apologise to the families of the victims and the students involved in the crash,” he said.

It is reported that Amirul has been a bus driver since 2016, and this is the first accident involving fatalities in his career. He also said that at the time, he shouted at the students to brace for impact.

“Those sitting near the front may have heard me, but most of the students at the back were asleep. Some thought I was shouting in anger. I estimate the bus travelled more than a kilometre with failed brakes. I did all I could to prevent the worst.”

While in tears, Amirul explained that he wasn’t speeding and that he knew the route well.

Recalling the moment the bus overturned, Amirul said he briefly lost consciousness but quickly came to and shouted for the students to escape through the shattered front windscreen.

“I crawled out and saw the students. I cried. I was devastated. But I accept this as a test from Allah. I feel an overwhelming sense of guilt, but I can't turn back time. All I can do now is apologise and let the authorities carry out the investigation,” he said.

It is understood that Amirul is currently awaiting surgery for a fractured left arm.

Updates on the students and the family of four in the Perodua Alza

Meanwhile, according to news updates, 28 other students involved in the crash sustained injuries of varying severity. While some are still being treated in hospitals, others with minor injuries have been discharged and allowed to return home.

In related news, the family of four in the Perodua Alza involved in the crash is being treated at Baling Hospital.

The driver, Mohd Lutfi Radzi, 37, sustained only minor injuries. However, his wife, Nurul Ain Zakaria, 35, suffered five broken ribs.

Their daughter, Nur Aisyah Nafishah, 6, suffered a broken knee, while their son, Muhammad Ahsan Nafis, 2, was thrown from the car during the accident. Thankfully, all family members are reportedly in stable condition, and Lutfi has since been discharged from the hospital.

Below are the list of the 15 UPSI students who lost their lives in the tragic accident: