BINTULU: Two students and a school bus driver died in a road accident involving the bus and a lorry carrying iron rods near KM12 on the Bintulu-Miri Highway, yesterday morning.
A spokesman from the Bintulu Fire and Rescue Department said Aien Laila Aliesha, 11 years, died at the scene while Nur Nabila Syakila, nine years, died at the Bintulu General Hospital.
Meanwhile, school driver Ramnelan Bin Samar was also confirmed dead by hospital authorities.
At the time of the accident, there were 26 students in the school bus. Jaf Naufal Aliuna Bin Jaffery, 10 years, was said to be in critical condition while six others, including the bus attendant, were reported to be seriously injured.
Meanwhile, 15 other students in the bus were treated as outpatients.
The Bintulu Fire and Rescue Department said upon receiving an emergency call on the incident yesterday at 6.12am, seven firemen immediately rushed led by PBK II Mustapha Wasli rushed to the scene.
They came in an EMRS vehicle and a Toyota Hilux with FRT machinery.
Meanwhile, the Samalaju Fire and Rescue Station also rushed to the scene with FRT machinery and five members headed by the Bomba Officer, Pek Anak Layang.
Operation Commander TPgB Mohamad Bin Meramit was also at the scene upon receiving the report on the accident.
“A total of 26 victims were in the bus. Eight students and the school bus driver (male) were trapped inside,” he said.
He added that the rescue work was successfully carried out by the Fire and Rescue personnel. The victims were extricated from the bus using rescue equipment tools.
The EMRS unit conducted initial treatment on the victims before transporting them to Bintulu General Hospital for further treatment.
The lorry driver was not injured in the accident. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
