(Kluang, July 15) A Year One pupil was killed in a school bus accident in Kluang this afternoon after being struck and run over by the vehicle that had just dropped him off near his home. The tragedy occurred at around 4.20pm along Jalan Bunga Raya 3 in Taman Sri Lalang, Kluang, leaving the local community in a state of deep shock and sorrow.
According to a statement issued by Kluang district police chief Barin, the school bus involved was driven by a 36-year-old local woman. After stopping to let the boy alight at the location, the driver began to manoeuvre the vehicle to turn into Jalan Bunga Raya 3. As the bus turned, it struck the boy, who was still on the road to the left of the vehicle. He was knocked down and run over, sustaining severe head injuries that proved fatal before emergency responders could reach him.
The female driver, who witnessed the entire tragedy unfold before her, suffered an extreme psychological reaction in the immediate aftermath of the accident. She was overwhelmed by shock and anxiety at the scene and lost consciousness, and was subsequently rushed to hospital for treatment and observation. Police confirmed that once she has been discharged, she will be required to undergo a urine drug screening test to establish her condition at the time of the incident.
Kluang police have opened an investigation under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which pertains to reckless or dangerous driving causing death. The case has reignited public concern over the safety procedures governing school bus operations, particularly regarding the blind spots created during turning manoeuvres after children have disembarked.
The Year One pupil killed in this school bus accident was described as having been in the early stages of his primary school journey, making the circumstances of his death all the more heart-breaking for his family, his school community and the residents of Taman Sri Lalang.
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