A bus crash to remember....

Accidents and disasters involving the loss of many lives are some of the hardest stories to cover. Reporters at the scene must gather important information under very difficult circumstances and produce stories on very tight deadlines.
Managing the coverage is even stressful as editors must ensure sufficient strength on the ground to report every possible angles  of the accident.

So when a loaded bus plunged into a deep ravine in the hill resort of Genting Highlands killing 37 people this afternoon, the newsdesk was set for a long, demanding day.  Sixteen others were injured, some critically in country’s worst bus crash.

Our flash/one-liner of the crash went out at 4.39pm:

“Sebuah bas ekspres dengan lebih 40 penumpang jatuh gaung di KM3 Lebuhraya Karak menghala Kuala Lumpur pada 2.45 petang – Bomba”

This was followed with an updated flash at 5.55pm:

“33 dikhuatiri terkorban dalam nahas bas ekspres dekat Genting Highlands - Penolong Pengarah Operasi Bomba dan Penyelamat KL”

The English version promptly went out at 6.02pm:

“33 feared dead in bus crash near Genting Highlands - KL Fire and Rescue Department deputy director”

By then reporters and photographers were already at the scene and hospitals.

Another flash went out at 6.06 pm

“Latest 33 believed dead.”

“Lebih 30 mayat belum dibawa keluar dari bas malang – bomba.”

At 6.47pm, General News Service Editor Haji Khairdzir Yunus sent a message on Bernama ED-Team What’sApp to say that he was recalling people and may be operating overnight.

“Have sent 5 reporters to the scene, 3 at KLH, 2 at Selayang Hospital, 1 at Bentong Hospital. Latest (as at 6.45pm), 49 passengers  involved, 16 saved, 31 feared dead, 2 confirmed dead.”

At 6.51pm, General Manager Datuk Yong Soo Heong text the following message:

“Please help to provide good coverage which we can be proud of.

Some stories can be from reporters eye witnessing account. Tak payah tunggu OCPD atau pegawai bertanggungjawab. Speed and accuracy being  primary concerns.”

 The final count was relayed by Haji Khairdzir at 9.23pm:

“Latest sehingga 9 malam. 37 maut daripada 53 penumpang”.

 Just after midnight, Datuk Yong sent a message at 12.07 am:

“Salam. Just a reminder that we should also highlight work done by bomba, civil defence, police, government personnel etc in our stories.

Syabas to the Bernama reporting team! TV3 quoted us in its 12 midnight Nightline bulletin. Great work. This is the kind of visibility that we seek. Syabas.”

Haji Khairdzir sent a nessage at 1.05am to inform that newsdesk will operate round the clock.

“We have 3 reporters on standby from midnight until 7am at HKL where the post-mortem on the 37 bodies are being carried out. Post-mortem started at 11.30pm and expected to complete after 9 to 10 hours. James will man the desk until Muin comes in at 7. One sub-editor each from the BM/I subs desk will be on duty at their respective desk. Dot.com is also putting their men on standby.”