Today, on Saturday, at least 14 people were killed and 17 other were injured when an express bus crashed into a ravine on Malaysia’s North-South Expressway. Speeding was likely the cause of the Pagoh bus accident.

The accident occurred early on Saturday near the west coast of town of Muar, after the driver lost control of the bus and it fell six meters into a ravine, indicating that it was driven at high speed.

Muar police Chief Assistant Commissioner Azman Ayob was reported as saying that preliminary investigation showed Aliran Golden Coach’s express bus carrying 30 passengers was heading from JB Sentral, Johor Baru, to the TBS station in Kuala Lumpur when the 3.45am accident happened. He added that the incident had not involved other vehicles.

Azman said police found skid marks on the road left by the bus’ tyres trailing some 150 metres along the left side of the expressway leading towards the edge of the cliff over which the bus plunged.

“Initial checks show there are no brake marks, based on the uninterrupted 150 metre-long skid mark found on the expressway, which indicates there was no attempt by the driver to slow down,” he was quoted as saying.

He said the deceased comprise of six men, seven women and a female toddler, including the driver, who were all from the front row seats.

He said another seven Malaysian men, five Singaporean men, two Myanmar men, one Singaporean woman and another female victim whose identify is not yet known, survived the injuries, but with injuries.

“The impact of the crash was greatest when the bus hit the concrete wall of the Kampung Jayo tunnel,” Azman was quoted as saying. He said police are still trying to get hold of the bus operator, but to no avail.

According to the news report, the police were investigating the case under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless driving.

All of the victims, including the injured in the incident, were taken to the Sultanah Fatimah Specialist hospital.