Miros to look into cause of Genting crash

 

The chartered van crashed into a divider as it was coming down Genting Highlands. (China Press pic)

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) will study the cause of an accident in Genting Highlands yesterday which claimed seven lives, says transport minister Loke Siew Fook.

Loke said Miros would study the road’s design and the site of the accident to determine if it posed a danger to road users after a chartered van was said to have lost control while approaching a sharp bend.

In a Bernama report, Loke also said he instructed the land public transport agency (Apad) and the road transport department (JPJ) to investigate the tour agency which supplied the van.

He said the report by Miros would be submitted to the transport ministry and the works ministry, which oversees road design.

“Miros is responsible for reviewing the safety of road conditions, and the findings of all the agencies will be submitted to the works ministry,” he told a press conference in Putrajaya.

The accident involved a chartered van that crashed while on its way to Penang from Genting Highlands at 1.15pm yesterday.

The van, which was ferrying 13 passengers, had lost control while going downhill before crashing into a concrete divider, severely damaging the front of the vehicle.

Six victims, including the driver, died on the spot. The seventh victim, who was the co-driver, died while being treated at Kuala Lumpur Hospital. - FMT