PETALING JAYA: There was an outpouring of concern and condolences on social media for the families of the five Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (Usas) students who died in a crash on the North-South Expressway (NSE) northbound early Thursday (May 12) morning.

       Many readers of The Star reacted to the heartbreaking news saying that the victims were gone too soon in their condolence messages.

       ALSO READ: Five burnt to death in NSE crash

       Some also called on the authorities to take action to ensure similar incidents do not occur on the NSE in future.

       One commenter, who goes by the name of Annie Ong, noted that heavy vehicles should not be travelling the expressway with other road users.

       ALSO READ: Cops nab trailer driver after five burnt to death in NSE crash

       "We should not have heavy vehicles on expressways. It is the difference in speed that poses more of a danger. Let the heavy vehicles take the trunk roads," she said.

       Another user, Sharina Shahrul also offered her condolences to the families of the victims for their loss.

       Rema Sasidharan, meanwhile, noted that these accidents could occur when traffic offenders simply cut into lanes without signalling.

       ALSO READ: NSE fatal crash: Student’s unfulfilled wish to follow mother’s footsteps

       "So many accidents occur when they speed and cut lanes without signalling... or heavy vehicles hog the fast lanes and cut lanes while speeding. Something should be done," she added.

       Another reader Jiaming Ooi noted that such accidents could have happened when repeat offenders continue driving recklessly on the road despite being fined several times.

       She added that the authorities should severely punish repeat offenders to prevent recurrences.

       ALSO READ: Tragic loss: PM extends condolences to families of USAS students killed in NSE crash

       The five victims were burnt to death when the car they were travelling in caught fire after being involved in a collision with two trailers at KM246 of the NSE northbound near Kuala Kangsar early Thursday.

       The victims were identified as Muhammad Nasrun Aidol Munir Akbar, 22, Ahmad Naim Najmi Ahmad Hafizan, 21, Muhammad Nabil Haikal Muhammad Fariz, 19, Ahmad Akmal Ahmad Mokhlis, 20, and Iqbal Hasnun Halimi, 23.

       Usas vice-chancellor Tan Sri Nordin Kadir said the victims were among the best students of the university, adding that they had just started their classes after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday.

       ALSO READ: Perak MB donates RM1,000 each to families of NSE crash victims

       Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob also extended his condolences to the families of the victims, while Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad provided a personal contribution, including RM1,000, to the families.