KANGAR, May 25 — Forty-five passengers cheated death after the tour bus they were travelling in skidded and plunged into a ravine in a hilly area in Wang Kelian this morning. 

Perlis Fire and Rescue Department director Mohd Fadzil Haroon said they only sustained injuries, but no death was reported in the mishap which occurred at 9.40am. 

The passengers of the bus from Penang comprised 33 women, six men and five children, he told reporters at the scene. 

Those who were injured, including the driver, were taken to Tuanku Fauziah

Hospital in Kangar to seek outpatient for treatment.

Mohd Fadzil said the actual cause of the accident was being investigated.

A victim, Md Sharif Hashim, 64, from Kampung Pokok Tampang, Tasik Gelugor, said he was grateful to have sustained only minor injuries and that no one was killed in the accident.

“As the bus make the last turn on the hilly area, I saw the driver having difficulties managing the steering wheel and in a split second, the bus plunged into the ravine. We had to break the glass window to get out.

“Once I got out, I saw several passengers passed out, while many others were feeling dizzy. The next thing I know, we were given medical attention by the paramedics,” he said.

Another victim, Tariah Awang Kecil, 42, said it was a horrific experience and there was nothing they could do expect praying for their lives.

When met at the hospital where she received outpatient treatment, Tariah also expressed her gratitude to all quarters for their immediate attention, specially the staff at the hospital and the Perlis state government.

It is learnt that the passengers were participants of Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) who travelled from Kepala Batas, Penang at 7am for a one-day shopping trip to Wang Kelian in the Malaysia-Thai border.

Meanwhile, Perlis Health Committee chairman Jafperi Othman and Perlis Baitulmal officer were also seen at the hospital to provide their assistance.

According to Jafperi, the state government would provide meals as well as a new bus to take the passengers home to Kepala Batas. — Bernama