Kenari Utara Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd said the bus, which was serviced last month, had no issues and was always sent in for service on schedule.

Kenari Utara operations officer Nazri Nawi said the driver, who was loaned by another company, was known to be a responsible driver well-versed with the Gerik-Jeli route, Berita Harian reported.

“What has happened is very sad. I’m not saddened by the damage sustained by the bus, but the deaths and injuries to the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students on board,” he said.

The accident took place on the Gerik-Jeli East West Highway, near Tasik Banding. It is understood that the bus was on the way from Jerteh, Terengganu, to Tanjung Malim, Perak.

A total of 48 victims were involved: 42 students, the bus driver and his assistant, and a married couple along with their six-year-old daughter and three-year-old son, who were in a Perodua Alza the bus collided with.

Thirteen UPSI students died at the scene and two at the hospital.

Police are forming a special task force, joined by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, road transport department, Land Public Transport Agency and other relevant agencies to investigate the crash.