ALOR GAJAH, Dec 24- Seven were reported dead while 33 others were injured in an accident involving a bus, two lorries and two cars at KM204 of the North South Expressway from Ayer Keroh towards Simpang Ampat, Melaka last night.

Alor Gajah District Police Chief Superintendent Ashari Abu Samah said that the deceased were the driver and four passengers of the MPV car as well as the driver and one passenger of the bus.

While four more MPV passengers, a car driver as well as the driver and attendant of a lorry were treated at Melaka Hospital.

Based on preliminary investigations, the trailer lorry and the tour bus carrying 27 passengers were traveling from north to south while three other vehicles were traveling from the opposite direction.

However, upon arriving at the scene of the incident, the front right tyre of the trailer lorry had become detached and was lying in the middle of the road which caused the tour bus unable to avoid the tyre, lost control and entered the opposite lane.

The bus then crashed into three other vehicles, namely a sedan car, a lorry with one driver and an attendant as well as an MPV carrying eight people who were traveling in the opposite direction.

As a result of the horrific accident, the driver and female passenger of the bus as well as the driver and four passengers of the MPV perished at the scene.

The case is being investigated in accordance with Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

All vehicles involved were detained to be taken to Puspakom for inspection.

Initial reports said at least six people died in the accident at KM204 of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) heading north, near the Ayer Keroh Rest and Relax (R&R) area.