AN Indian national tourist lost their life, and four passengers sustained injuries after the express bus they were traveling in burst into flames following a road crash with a motorcycle at KM198 on the North-South Highway (northbound) near Alor Gajah early today, said district police chief Arshad Abu.

He said that the 17-year-old female victim suffered burns and was pronounced dead while receiving treatment. Her body has been sent to Malacca Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

“In the 3.50am crash, the express bus, with 28 passengers, was travelling from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur,” he said in a statement today.

He said an investigation found that the bus had crashed into a motorcycle that was lying on the roadside and dragged it for a few metres before it (the bus) burst into flames.

An accident had earlier happened at the spot involving a 21-year-old motorcyclist, who lost control of the machine, causing it to skid and fall by the roadside, but the motorcyclist managed to dodge to save himself, he said.

He said three passengers in the back seat of the bus were trapped and suffered burns.

The injured passengers, aged between 17 and 69 years including the deceased, were family members, with one of them a Singaporean, he said, adding that the injured, including the motorcyclist were sent to Alor Gajah Hospital, for treatment.

Meanwhile, Ayer Keroh Fire and Rescue Station operations commander deputy fire chief II Zahrul Azha Mokhtar said 21 firefighters were mobilised after receiving a distress call at 3.55am. – Bernama, January 13, 2024.