Kuala Lumpur: Two Chinese nationals died when a tour bus carrying 21 people landed on its side while descending from Genting Highlands at 11am, Saturday.
Pahang Fire and Rescue Department Director Datuk Dr Wan Mohamad Zaidi Wan Isa said both male victims suffered head injuries.
“Their bodies were sent to Bentong Hospital, Pahang,” he said when contacted.
He added that the 21 people on board included 18 Chinese nationals, the bus driver and two tour guides.
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Wan Mohamad Zaidi said six injured victims were also taken to Bentong Hospital, while the rest to Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
A check at Bentong Hospital found that the bus driver and one of the tour guides left the hospital at 3.15pm after receiving treatment.
It is learnt that four Chinese nationals are still being treated there.
Meanwhile, Bentong District Police Chief Supt Zaiham Mohd Kahar said the bus is yet to be removed from the scene as the vehicle meant to lift it is stuck in traffic congestion.
“The congestion starts from the Gombak Toll Plaza, and I urge anyone planning to go to Genting Highlands to postpone their trip or change their route.
“The police and Genting Highlands management are working hard to speed up the process of removing the bus,” he said in a statement, Saturday.
Meanwhile, a prominent community leader said the local transport industry should tighten its road safety measures in light of the bus crash at Genting Highlands.
Alliance for a Safe Community founder-cum-chairman Tan Sri Dr Lee Lam Thye said such accidents would persist unless transport and tourism industry players were fully committed to put safety rules, regulations and guidelines into practice.
“This tragedy once again highlighted the importance of road safety which has become a major safety issue in the country.
The question that needs to be asked is whether all parties and stakeholders will work together to prevent more tragedies and subsequently to achieve zero accidents,” he said, adding that the accident should serve as a wake-up call for the local transport industry.
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