8 dead, 33 injured in accident involving 2 buses at Penang

At least eight factory worker died while 33 others were injured in an accident involving two factory buses near Juru Toll Plaza in Penang, Malaysia yesterday morning (Oct 24).

The incident happened at around 5.30am on the North South Expressway (NSE).

According to Seberang Prai Tengah police chief Assistant Commissioner Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid, one of the buses ferrying Indonesian and Nepalese workers stopped on the left side of the road after encountering an engine problem.

The other bus, carrying about 15 workers, failed to stop in time and crashed into the first bus, pushing it to the right side of the road.  

He said:

“Eight people have died so far.

“A total of 23 people sustained serious injuries and another 10 suffered minor injuries,”

He added that there were 43 victims involved in the accident and all of the deceased were women.

One of the deceased,  Norah Kasa, managed to make a final phone call to her daughter, Norasyikin Zuryanidufizan, 22, who was on her way to work.

Said Norasyikin to the New Straits Times:

“I will remember my mother's final cries for the rest of my life.

“My mum left for work first on a bus and I was in a van far behind.

“She called me, asking for my help before the line went dead.”