KUALA LUMPUR – A trip to Malaysia to celebrate his mother’s 80th birthday took an unfortunate turn for a Malaysian man and his Singaporean wife, who were among the passengers injured after the bus taking them from Singapore to Ipoh
crashed into a signpost
.
Mr R. Ramesh Chandran, 55, a Singapore permanent resident, and his wife A. Saraswathy, 58, had been due to arrive in Ipoh at 6.30am on Oct 11, the day of their family celebration.
There were 29 people on the Super Nice express bus, which left Boon Lay in Singapore on Oct 10.
Kajang police chief Naazron Abdul Yusof said the bus was at the 293km mark of Malaysia’s North-South Expressway when the accident happened at about 3.15am.
A 59-year-old Malaysian man, who had been seated at the front of the bus, died at the scene from severe head injuries.
Mr Ramesh’s younger brother, Mr Renukeswaran Menon, 42, told to The Straits Times on the night of Oct 12, that his brother and sister-in-law lost consciousness upon impact.
“When he regained consciousness, he couldn’t move and called out for my sister-in-law in the dark until she responded,” Mr Renukeswaran said, adding that his brother was thrown off his seat and blacked out.
Mr Renukeswaran had gone to the express bus office in Ipoh at 6am on Oct 11 to receive the couple. When the bus failed to show up, he repeatedly asked the staff there for information but was told they did not have a passenger list.
After several hours, he was informed that the bus had been involved in an accident and that his brother and sister-in-law were being treated at Sultan Idris Shah Hospital.
Mr Ramesh, who lost his glasses in the crash, had been found lying face down and unable to move.
The couple was rushed to Hospital Sultan Idris Shah in Serdang, Selangor. Mr Ramesh had multiple injuries to his body and face, including a dislocated jaw, and had breathing difficulties.
Madam Saraswathy, meanwhile, suffered fractures to her leg and hand, among other injuries, as well as cuts to her lips that required stitches.
Also injured were the bus driver, backup driver and other bus passengers. Among them were four other Singaporeans, whom ST understands did not suffer serious injuries and were discharged from hospital on the same day.
Mr Ramesh Chandran was thrown off his seat in the accident and suffered multiple injuries, including a dislocated jaw.
PHOTO: BANGI FIRE AND RESCUE STATION
Following arrangements made by their two children, Mr Ramesh and his wife were transferred to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital in Singapore for further treatment, where they remain warded.
“Our mother blames herself, thinking the accident happened because we wanted to celebrate her 80th birthday,” said Mr Renukeswaran.
“But I told her it is fate, and we should be thankful both are alive.”
