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
KUALA LUMPUR: The police have rubbished rumours that the RapidKL bus driver responsible for ramming several vehicles along Jalan Ampang has died.
City Traffic Investigation and Enforcement department chief Asst Comm Zulkefly Yahya said on Friday (Aug 17) there was no truth to the message being spread saying that the 32-year-old driver had succumbed to his head injury.
“In fact, he is expected to be discharged from Ampang Hospital at about 3pm," he said.
“He sustained the head injury after he was beaten up by members of the public following the incident last night. We will investigate the matter if he decides to lodge a report,” ACP Zulkefly said.
He said the police would decide whether to detain the driver further, depending on his state of health.
“I can also confirm that there were no passengers in the bus during the incident,” 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 footage 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, then knocking into several other vehicles before being halted by gridlocked traffic.
Related stories:
RapidKL driver in Thursday night bus rampage picked up by police
RapidKL driver was beaten up, company urges stop to speculation
Rapid Bus forms taskforce to look into insurance claims
A sample of the bus driver's urine has been sent to the Chemistry Department for analysis.
KUALA LUMPUR: Police today arrested the RapidKL stage bus driver who crashed into seven vehicles last night while apparently fleeing from an accident in Jalan Ampang.
Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief ACP Zulkefly Yahya said the bus driver was being treated for a head injury at the Ampang Hospital.
“The driver has been subjected to a urine test and the sample has been sent to the Chemistry Department for analysis,” he said when contacted by Bernama.
The seven vehicles were badly damaged after the bus crashed into them while weaving through traffic at about 8pm following the accident in front of the Risda building.
A video clip showing the bus ploughing into the vehicles went viral on social media.
Zulkefly also dismissed a social media message that the driver had died, saying the driver was scheduled to be discharged from the hospital today.
He added that the police would conduct an investigation if the driver lodged a report saying he was assaulted.
No passengers were in the bus during the incident, he said.
