JOHOR BARU: The school van carrying 16 students involved in an accident on Friday (July 18) is believed to have hit an open underground cable manhole, says a Johor state executive councillor.

State works, transportation and infrastructure committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said he received a report about the incident, which occurred at Jalan Abdul Samad here at 7.01am.

“According to the police’s preliminary report, the van is believed to have lost control after hitting an uncovered underground cable hole. No other vehicles were involved in the incident.

“TM has confirmed that no maintenance work had been carried out in the area recently,” he said in a statement on Friday.

He added that the condition of the manhole suggests there may have been an attempted theft.

“I urge members of the public to come forward with any information or evidence, such as video recordings, related to the suspected theft.

“Anyone who may have witnessed irresponsible individuals opening the cover and leaving the manhole exposed is urged to lodge a report at the Johor Baru South district police headquarters to assist with the investigation,” he added.

Earlier, Johor Baru South OCPD Asst Comm Raub Selamat said the school van skidded and overturned along Jalan Abdul Samad here while transporting students from several schools here.

“The van is believed to have hit an uncovered drainage hole on the left side of the road, causing the driver to lose control and the vehicle to overturn,” he said.

He added that 17 victims were on board, including the driver, nine male students and seven female students aged between nine and 15.

“Of the 17 victims, 11 sustained minor injuries and were treated in the yellow zone at Hospital Sultanah Aminah, while the rest did not suffer any serious injuries,” he said.

ACP Raub said the case is being investigated under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for careless driving causing an accident.

"The driver is currently having his statement recorded to assist in the investigation," he added.