By Subaashinee Kupusamy,
24 DECEMBER: A devastating collision involving two express buses and a lorry occurred near the Ayer Keroh Rest and Service Area (northbound) on the North-South Expressway, resulting in seven fatalities and 33 injuries. The incident took place around 2:30 a.m. The Melaka Fire and Rescue Department reported that the crash involved a lorry transporting iron and two express buses. The first bus, enroute from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur, was carrying 28 passengers, while the second bus, traveling from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, had 19 passengers.
The department dispatched 37 personnel from the Ayer Keroh, Bukit Katil, Tangga Batu, and Alor Gajah fire stations to the scene. Upon arrival, they found multiple victims trapped inside the vehicles. The rescue operation involved extricating the deceased and injured from the wreckage. The injured were promptly transported to Melaka Hospital for medical treatment.
The accident led to significant traffic congestion in the area. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the collision. The identities of the deceased have not been released pending notification of their next of kin. This tragic event serves as a sober reminder of the importance of road safety, especially during peak travel periods.
The Melaka Fire and Rescue Department has urged motorists to exercise caution and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent such incidents in the future. They also extended their condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
As the investigation continues, more information is expected to be released by the authorities. In the meantime, travellers are advised to plan their journeys carefully and remain vigilant on the roads to ensure their safety and the safety of others as stated in NST.
