PASIR PUTEH: The victims who survived the tragic bus crash involving students from the Sultan Idris University of Education (UPSI) in Gerik, Perak on June 9 last year are recovering from the trauma thanks to the continuous support from various parties.
UPSI Bachelor of Arts Education student Abdul Wafiy Kamaruddin, 24, said the ongoing counselling provided by the university has greatly helped the victims involved in the tragedy.
“At first, I felt scared when I wanted to get on a vehicle, but Alhamdulillah, things are gradually improving and now I have no problem getting on buses or public transport.”
“UPSI counselling also always follows up with those of us involved in the accident and the assistance has greatly helped the emotional recovery process,” he told reporters after the UPSI Tautan Kasih and Ukhuwah Ceremony with the Heirs of the Gerik Incident 2025 in Tok Bali here yesterday.
Abdul Wafiy said he, who only suffered minor injuries and was placed in the Green Zone of Gerik Hospital after the incident, still remembers the initial moments after the accident, including seeing many victims lying face down.
“I was sitting in the back seat on the right. When I regained consciousness after the accident, I saw many people injured and wanted to help them, but my condition did not allow it. I was only able to help the victims nearby. The shadow of the incident haunted me for two to three months before I gradually recovered,” he said.
He said family support was the main factor that strengthened his spirit to rise, in addition to the help of friends and the university, with most of the survivors also showing positive developments after receiving various supports.
“So far, the 27 survivors are stable and recovering emotionally. This situation proves the important role of family, friends and educational institutions in helping victims move on with their lives after facing tragedy,” he said.
Recalling the tragedy, Abdul Wafiy said June 9, 2025 would remain a dark moment in his life when a bus carrying UPSI students overturned, killing 15 would-be educators.
He said that before the incident, the atmosphere was very cheerful because all the students were on their way back to campus after Aidiladha.
“That night we laughed and had fun together. But in the blink of an eye, tragedy claimed 15 lives and changed the lives of many of us forever,” he said.
Apart from continuing his recovery process, Abdul Wafiy also shared his experiences and views on road safety on various platforms, including as an invited panelist at the Road Safety Congress in November last year.
In the early morning of June 9, 2025, 15 UPSI students died when a chartered bus carrying them from Jertih to the main campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak overturned after hitting a Perodua Alza multi-purpose vehicle.
— BERNAMA
