Two Chinese tourists die after bus crash in Genting Highlands; driver does not have a driving license

KUALA LUMPUR: Two Chinese nationals died on Saturday (June 29) after the coach they were travelling in ended up on its side while descending from Malaysia’s Genting Highlands.

The accident occurred on Saturday around 11 a.m.

The bus, which was on its way to Kuala Lumpur, skidded, hit a road barrier and overturned onto its side.

Bernama news agency reported that the 32-year-old bus driver did not have a driving license. According to Bentong police chief Zaiham Mohd Kahar, he had already committed 27 traffic offences.

There were 21 people on board the bus – 18 Chinese nationals, the bus driver and two tour guides.

According to Zaiham, the two men who died at the scene of the accident were 58-year-old Zhang Ping and 49-year-old Wang Shuhong. Both suffered head injuries.

The other Chinese passengers as well as the bus driver and the two tour guides were taken to hospital.

Resorts World Genting said in a Facebook post that the coach belonged to a third-party company and the tourists were from Yunnan, China.

The accident sparked calls from the local transport industry to tighten safety measures.

“This tragedy has once again highlighted the importance of road safety, which has become a major safety issue in the country,” said Dr. Lee Lam Thye, founder and chairman of the Alliance for a Safe Community.

“The question that needs to be asked is whether all parties and stakeholders will work together to prevent further tragedies and ultimately achieve the goal of zero accidents,” he told Bernama.