It is believed that the driver panicked after he was involved in an accident in Keramat.
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KUALA LUMPUR: A RapidKL bus left a trail of destruction as it sped through Jalan Ampang in the city centre tonight, hitting a number of vehicles seconds after it ran down a stall near Keramat here.
In the 8pm incident, several men on motorcycles gave chase after the bus after it rammed a car which then ploughed into a burger stall near Keramat.
Stall owner Azri Arip said his mother, who was carrying a two-month-old child, was injured in the incident.
Witnesses told FMT that the driver of the bus panicked and fled the scene, speeding through traffic, hitting and damaging seven vehicles along the way. A motorcyclist pursued the bus, recording the bus’ journey until the end.
At least four people were reported to have been injured.
The incident took place in front of Bangunan Risda along Jalan Ampang. The bus only came to a stop at the Jalan Ampang-MRR2 junction. The driver has been apprehended.
When contacted, Kuala Lumpur police chief Mazlan Lazim said he was informed of the incident, but had no other details.
FMT is also awaiting a response from Prasarana, the company which operates the RapidKL fleet.
KUALA LUMPUR: The 32-year-old RapidKL driver involved in Thursday (Aug 16) night's incident in which the bus he drove rammed against several vehicles along Jalan Ampang has been detained by the police.
City traffic investigation and enforcement department chief Asst Comm Zulkefly Yahya said the driver was in police custody and was receiving treatment for a head injury.
“We are investigating the matter under Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987 for driving recklessly.
“During the incident, he drove haphazardly and rammed the bus against other vehicles along Jalan Ampang as the public gave chase,” he said when contacted.
After the last vehicle was hit, the driver stopped the bus and attempted to flee, but bystanders managed to stop him, ACP Zulkefly added.
“The driver was then handed over to the police. We are now waiting for the results of his urine test to ascertain whether he was driving under the influence of drugs,” he said.
Prior to the rampage, ACP Zulkefly said the driver had been involved in an accident in AU Keramat.
“We have recorded statement from those involved, and we are investigating further,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bernama quoted RapidKL chief operating officer Shamsul Rizal Mohd Yusof as saying that the owners of cars damaged by driver along Jalan Ampang could claim compensation from the company.
He said car owners should contact them at 03-78852585 to make their claims.
“They have to go through a few procedures, including sending us a copy of their police reports.
“RapidKL will assist further on other requirements for the compensation,” Shamsul Rizal told reporters at the Maluri Depot on Friday (Aug 17).
On the driver involved, he said the man had been with the company for two years and had a good record.
“We are not certain whether he has any health condition as we are still gathering more information on last night’s incident.
“We apologise over the incident and will give our full cooperation to the police,” Shamsul Rizal said, adding that he was unsure whether there were any passengers on board during the incident.
On whether the bus suffered technical problems, he said the company would have to inspect the bus first before confirming anything.
“Based on our SOP, only buses in good condition are allowed to be in operation,” he said.
On Thursday night, footage of a RapidKL bus ramming into several vehicles on a busy road, believed to be in Ampang, went viral on social media and messaging apps.
The one-and-a-half minute video shows the bus being pursued by several motorcycles, whose riders are heard shouting expletives at the driver and telling him to stop.
The bus is shown weaving recklessly through traffic before ramming into two cars and continuing its rampage.
It then rams into several other vehicles over a stretch of nearly 100m from the first collision before being gridlocked in traffic.
Related story:
Bus rams into multiple vehicles on busy road to escape angry pursuers
TIADA sebarang laporan dibuat mana-mana pihak, berkaitan kes bas RapidKL yang merempuh tujuh kenderaan di Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, malam tadi. Ketua Jabatan Siasatan dan Penguatkuasaan Trafik (JSPT) Kuala Lumpur, Asisten Komisioner Zulkefly Yahya berkata, polis akan menjalankan siasatan sekiranya wujud unsur jenayah dalam kejadian itu. “Siasatan akan dijalankan sekiranya pemandu bas atau pihak yang berkaitan tampil membuat laporan polis. “Buat masa ini, kita dimaklumkan belum ada mana-mana pihak tampil berbuat demikian,” katanya ketika dihubungi NSTP, hari ini. KEADAAN kenderaan yang dirempuh bas Rapid KL dari Kampung Keramat menghala ke MRR2 kira-kira 8 malam semalam menyebabkan empat cedera. FOTO NSTP Dalam kejadian 8.30 malam itu, tujuh kereta rosak akibat dilanggar oleh bas Rapid KL berkenaan yang dipandu seorang lelaki berusia 32 tahun di Jalan Ampang berhampiran lampu isyarat Jalan Ampang berdekatan Ampang Point. Pemandu bas terbabit kini sedang menerima rawatan di Hospital Ampang akibat cedera di kepala dan berada dalam keadaan separa sedar. MESEJ tular yang didakwa ditulis saksi kejadian. FOTO Facebook Menurut mesej tular didakwa ditulis saksi kejadian, pemandu bas RapidKL itu bertindak demikian kerana panik dikejar sekumpulan lelaki selepas terbabit dalam kemalangan kecil di Persimpangan lampu isyarat AU Keramat. Saksi terbabit mendakwa, pemandu bas berkenaan pada mulanya dikatakan cuba mengelak motosikal yang keluar dari persimpangan lampu isyarat berkenaan menyebabkannya terlanggar bucu gerai burger di tepi jalan, sebelum pemilik gerai burger berang dan bertindak mengejar bas RapidKL terbabit. Berita berkaitan • Apa masalah pemandu bas ni? [METROTV] • [UPDATE] RapidKL sedia bayar ganti rugi
