Two KTM coaches carrying 100 passengers derail
GUA MUSANG, Aug 18 — It was a harrowing experience for about 100 passengers inside two Ekspres Wau train coaches that derailed at Kampung Sungai Yu, Merapoh near Kuala Lipis, Pahang, at 6.45pm today.
Kuala Lipis police chief Supt Abdul Razak Hasan said the two coaches were part of a 14-coach train heading to Tumpat from Kuala Lumpur when they derailed and broke away about 11km after leaving the Merapoh station at 6.30am.
He said the train was carrying more than 900 passengers who were returning to their respective villages to celebrate Aidilfitri.
“The three victims who were seriously injured and eight who sustained light injuries have been sent to Gua Musang Hospital,” he said.
Nor Atikah Zakari, 21, who escaped unhurt, said most of the passengers were fast asleep while she and a few others were still awake at the time.
“The train suddenly started shaking and we were flung about helplessly causing us to scream in fear. We landed on top of each other and managed to crawl out through the broken glass door,” she recalled.
Another passenger, Nor Hazliza Mohd Noor, 22, said she was also awake at the time and heard a deafening sound before the coaches derailed.
“I shouted for help and tried to get out but the door was closed. Then a man came and smashed the glass door to allow us to escape safely,” she said.
Meanwhile, in Kota Baru, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) said train services from Kuala Lumpur to Kelantan have not been disrupted despite the accident.
A KTMB corporate communication unit spokesperson said repair works would be completed by 7pm today.
“The staff are repairing the track and lifting the derailed coaches off the track,” the spokesperson said when contacted here today. — Bernama
