Singaporean, 62, injured after tour bus overturns on Malaysian expressway

A 62-year-old Singaporean was among three passengers injured after a tour bus travelling from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur overturned on a Malaysian expressway in the early hours of 26 August.

The accident happened at around 4am near the 177.6-kilometre mark of the North-South Expressway, with the bus carrying 12 people at the time. The passengers included Singaporeans and foreign nationals travelling on the overnight journey.

Malaysian authorities said the bus had been travelling along the expressway when its driver attempted to avoid a lorry that had slowed down. The vehicle subsequently veered towards the side of the road before overturning.

Three passengers injured in overnight accident

Among those injured were a 59-year-old Malaysian tour guide, a 62-year-old Singaporean passenger and a 42-year-old British national.

Malaysian police reportedly received a report about the accident at around 5am. Emergency responders were subsequently called to the scene as passengers were left at the roadside following the crash.

The Singaporean passenger, identified by his surname Lin, later gave an account of the incident to local media. He claimed that the bus driver had fallen asleep while driving, suggesting that driver fatigue may have played a role in the accident.

Lin was travelling on the overnight service for business purposes. He said the bus came dangerously close to roadside stone pillars and a fence, estimating that the crash site was only around 50 metres from the structures.

Passenger claims driver fell asleep

According to Lin, the consequences could have been much more serious if the bus had struck the roadside structures. He also claimed that two elderly passengers suffered serious injuries during the accident.

One person was reportedly bleeding from the head, while another appeared unable to move and was believed to have suffered a possible fracture.

Lin further alleged that the ambulance took more than an hour to arrive at the scene. Following the initial emergency response, passengers were reportedly left waiting by the roadside for another two hours while a replacement bus was arranged to transport them onwards.

The incident has raised concerns over road safety and driver fatigue, particularly for long-distance overnight coach services. Driver alertness is a key consideration in passenger transport, where fatigue can potentially affect reaction times and decision-making.

Singapore passenger says he needed medical attention

Lin also said he had suffered a lower-back sprain during the accident and attempted to contact the tour company for assistance in seeking medical treatment.

However, he claimed that no member of the company contacted him after he reported his injury.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation. Police had initially stated that the driver swerved while attempting to avoid the slowing lorry, while the passenger’s account raises a separate allegation that the driver may have fallen asleep before the incident.

Authorities are expected to establish the exact sequence of events, including the driver’s condition and the circumstances leading to the bus leaving its lane and overturning.

For Singaporeans travelling to Malaysia by coach, the incident also highlights the importance of choosing reputable tour operators and ensuring that long-distance drivers receive adequate rest between journeys. Further details on the condition of the injured passengers and any investigation findings may emerge as Malaysian authorities continue their inquiries.