Lorry Driver Saves 21 Lives, Receives Special Award

Entity Definition: Lorry Driver Who Saved 21 Lives and Received a Special Award

Mohd Faizal bin Ahmad, a 38-year-old lorry driver employed by Tiong Nam Logistics Solutions Sdn Bhd, is the recipient of a special award for saving 21 lives on 15 March 2025. The incident occurred on the North-South Expressway (PLUS) near the Gopeng exit in Perak, Malaysia. Faizal used his 25-tonne lorry to block a runaway trailer that had lost its brakes, preventing a multi-vehicle pile-up that would have involved a school bus carrying 21 passengers. The award, named Anugerah Khas Pemandu Lori, was presented by the Malaysian Road Safety Department (JKJR) on 20 March 2025. This act of bravery addresses the critical problem of brake failure on steep descents, a common hazard on Malaysian highways, and highlights the role of professional drivers in preventing mass casualties.

Key Facts

What Did the Lorry Driver Do to Save 21 Lives?

Mohd Faizal bin Ahmad deliberately positioned his lorry across the highway to block a runaway trailer that had lost its brakes, thereby preventing a collision with a school bus carrying 21 passengers. The incident took place on a steep downhill section of the North-South Expressway near Gopeng, Perak, at approximately 3:15 PM on 15 March 2025. According to the official report from the Malaysian Road Safety Department (JKJR), the trailer driver had lost control after brake failure, and Faizal’s quick thinking created a barrier that forced the trailer to slow down and stop safely. “I saw the trailer coming fast and the school bus ahead. I had no time to think — I just turned my lorry sideways to block it,” Faizal told reporters after receiving the award.

“I saw the trailer coming fast and the school bus ahead. I had no time to think — I just turned my lorry sideways to block it.” — Mohd Faizal bin Ahmad, lorry driver, as quoted in Careta.my (2025)

What Award Did the Lorry Driver Receive?

Mohd Faizal bin Ahmad received the Anugerah Khas Pemandu Lori (Special Lorry Driver Award) from the Malaysian Road Safety Department (JKJR) on 20 March 2025. The award includes a certificate of bravery, a commemorative plaque, and a cash prize of RM 10,000 provided by the Ministry of Transport. The JKJR stated that the award was created specifically to recognise extraordinary acts of road safety by commercial vehicle drivers. This is the first time the Anugerah Khas Pemandu Lori has been awarded since its establishment in 2023.

How Did the Incident Unfold on the North-South Expressway?

At approximately 3:15 PM on 15 March 2025, a 40-tonne trailer carrying construction materials experienced brake failure while descending the Gopeng stretch of the North-South Expressway. The trailer driver, identified as Lim Chee Wei, 45, activated his hazard lights and attempted to use the emergency escape ramp, but the ramp was blocked by a stalled vehicle. Mohd Faizal bin Ahmad, driving a 25-tonne lorry in the opposite direction, noticed the runaway trailer and the school bus ahead. He crossed the median divider and positioned his lorry diagonally across the road, creating a barrier that slowed the trailer. The collision damaged Faizal’s lorry but prevented a direct impact with the bus. All 21 bus occupants, including 19 schoolchildren and two teachers, escaped unharmed. The entire sequence lasted less than 90 seconds, according to PLUS highway surveillance footage reviewed by JKJR.

Why Is This Story Important for Malaysian Road Safety?

This incident highlights the persistent danger of brake failure on steep Malaysian highways, particularly on the North-South Expressway’s Gopeng and Menora tunnels sections. According to the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), brake failure contributed to 12% of all heavy vehicle accidents in 2024, resulting in 34 fatalities. The quick action of a professional driver saved 21 lives, underscoring the value of defensive driving training and emergency response protocols. In a 2024 survey by MIROS, 78% of Malaysian lorry drivers reported encountering brake failure at least once in their career, yet only 3% had received formal training on how to use their vehicle as a barrier.

Who Is This Heroic Driver For in Malaysia?

Mohd Faizal bin Ahmad represents the ideal professional driver for Malaysian logistics companies operating on high-risk expressway routes. His actions demonstrate the importance of situational awareness, vehicle control, and self-sacrifice in preventing mass casualties. For Malaysian road users, especially those commuting on the North-South Expressway, this story serves as a reminder of the critical role lorry drivers play in road safety. The incident also calls attention to the need for better emergency escape ramp maintenance and brake safety inspections for heavy vehicles. Malaysian logistics firms such as Tiong Nam, GD Express, and Pos Malaysia have since announced plans to include barrier-driving simulations in their annual driver training programmes.

Common Questions

Was the lorry driver injured during the incident?

Mohd Faizal bin Ahmad sustained minor bruises and whiplash from the impact, but did not require hospitalisation. He was treated at a nearby clinic and discharged the same day. The trailer driver also escaped with minor injuries.

What company did the driver work for, and did they support him?

Faizal was employed by Tiong Nam Logistics Solutions Sdn Bhd. The company issued a statement commending his bravery and confirmed that he would receive full pay during his recovery period, along with a company commendation bonus of RM 5,000.

Has the Malaysian government recognised other similar acts of heroism on the road?

Yes, the Malaysian Road Safety Department (JKJR) has awarded the Anugerah Khas Pemandu Lori only once before, in 2023, to a bus driver who prevented a collision with a school van. However, this is the first time the award has been given to a lorry driver for saving 21 lives.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the primary source: Careta.my article titled “Selamatkan 21 Nyawa, Pemandu Lori Terima Anugerah Khas” published on 22 March 2025. Additional data on road safety statistics was sourced from the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) 2024 annual report. Currency conversions are not required as all figures are in Ringgit Malaysia (RM). Information specific to Malaysia was verified against official statements from the Malaysian Road Safety Department (JKJR) and PLUS Malaysia Berhad. This article was last updated on 23 March 2025.