IPOH: A Japanese woman who was involved in a bus-truck accident at KM230 southbound on the North-South Expressway on Thursday has succumbed to her injuries.

Perak police chief Comm Datuk Azizi Mat Aris confirmed that the 73-year-old victim died at Kuala Kangsar Hospital that night.

“We received a report of her death around 9 pm,” he said.

An autopsy determined the cause of death to be chest and abdominal injuries from the road traffic collision.

Comm Azizi shared this information during a press conference after a nasyid contest held by the state police contingent at the state secretariat building on Friday (October 25).

Thirteen people, including 11 Japanese nationals aged between 58 and 80, were reported injured when the bus they were traveling in crashed into the back of a truck at around 1.30pm.

The tourists were on their way to Cameron Highlands from Penang at the time of the accident.

The other two injured victims were a 56-year-old tour guide and a 41-year-old bus driver.

Comm Azizi noted that two Japanese tourists are still hospitalized at Taiping Hospital but are in a stable condition, while the others have received outpatient treatment at Kuala Kangsar Hospital.

He also mentioned that the bus driver is being treated in Kuala Kangsar for facial and body injuries, although the 40-year-old truck driver was unhurt.

“We have taken blood and urine samples from the bus driver for investigation,” Comm Azizi said.

He added: “We understand he has a previous record and we are looking into it.”

The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act.

“We have yet to determine the cause of the incident, whether it involved human elements or technical issues,” he explained.

“We will detain him for further investigations,” he added, urging witnesses to the accident to come forward to help police in their investigation.

Comm Azizi said police had contacted the Japanese Embassy to offer assistance to victims still in Taiping.

“We will also try to offer our assistance to those who have been traumatized by the incident,” he concluded.