Rompin police chief Nor Azman Yusof said the third victim was identified as Hamzah Ahmad, 60, a school employee, who was receiving treatment at Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital, Kuantan.

“Earlier, two victims were reportedly killed — the second driver of the bus, identified as Hadi Asyraf Mad Idris, 29, and a teacher, Hasnatul Adilah Hassan, 48. The trailer lorry driver escaped uninjured,” he said when contacted here.

In the 1am incident, a bus ferrying 39 people, including two drivers, went out of control, hit the lorry laden with iron coils and overturned.

Nor Azman said the bus was ferrying teachers from Sekolah Kebangsaan Jeram Masjid Tanah, Melaka, along with children, to Terengganu to attend a school programme.

The other 36 injured victims are being treated at Muadzam Shah Hospital, Rompin Hospital and Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital.

Meanwhile, education minister Fadhlina Sidek said she was waiting for a full report on the accident but had directed that the welfare of the teachers and children in hospital be well taken care of.

She said several teachers involved in the accident were reported to be receiving treatment at the intensive care unit due to serious injuries.

Fadhlina said the ministry will also send counsellors to the school to provide psychosocial support to fellow teachers and students.