IPOH — The fatal crash at KM53 of the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, which claimed 15 lives, has been described as the darkest moment in the 18-year service of Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) officer Muhammad Yusuf Nuruddin.

At first, he thought it was a routine accident, but he and his team from Hulu Perak APM were shocked to learn of the high death toll. Though deeply affected, Muhammad Yusuf said his focus was on providing immediate aid, while the bodies were handed over to the Fire and Rescue Department and the Health Ministry.

He recalled arriving at the scene about an hour after the emergency call, where rescuers were already working in darkness using only vehicle headlights. Injured victims were found sitting silently by the roadside.