Driver blames Waze after tour bus wedges under bridge with 30 aboard in Butterworth

A tour bus is trapped under a low-clearance overpass at Taman Bagan in Butterworth, Penang, on Oct 31, 2026. — Social media pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Sunday, 01 Nov 2026 9:14 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1 — A tour bus carrying over 30 passengers from Johor became wedged under a flyover in Taman Bagan of Butterworth, Penang, last night after the driver alleged followed directions from the Waze navigation app.

The crash lodged nearly half the bus beneath the low-clearance structure, shattering several windows and showering the road with glass shards. Two passengers suffered minor injuries from flying glass but are reported to be in stable condition, Berita Harian reported.

The driver said he was ferrying the tour group to a nearby hotel before continuing their journey to Kedah today.

He explained that he relied on Waze, which routed him along the road without factoring in the height limit of the overhead bridge.

“I heard a loud crashing sound while driving underneath the flyover. A few seconds later, the bus windows shattered and glass fragments were scattered everywhere.

“I was very shocked by what happened,” he said.

Razali said that while he had visited Butterworth several times previously, this was the first time he had used Waze to navigate through Taman Bagan. Poor lighting and his unfamiliarity with the neighbourhood prompted him to rely entirely on the app’s directions, he said.

A check at the site revealed a 2.6-metre height clearance sign posted before the flyover, alongside a warning sign alerting motorists to frequent collisions in the area.