Abdullah Hadi Yusof, one of the 14 people killed when an express bus plunged into a ravine in Pagoh, here, yesterday has been described as friendly and generous towards the Masjid India community in Johor Bahru.

The 47-year-old Indian national was among those travelling in the bus when the incident occurred at KM137.3 of the North-South Expressway (northbound), early morning, yesterday.

The victim's friend, Sharbudeen Abdul Ghaffar, said the late Abdullah Hadi had spent a lot of time at the mosque and given much assistance to the local Indian Muslim community there.

"He was kind and friendly, never had problems with his friends and often gave donations to them and the local families facing financial difficulties.

"The last time we met was after Friday prayers (two days ago) where he even joked with his friends. At that time, he did inform us of his plan to go to Kuala Lumpur," Sharbudeen recalled.

Abdullah Hadi, from Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India had been staying in Malaysia for the past three years.

According to Sharbudeen, the deceased had been operating a goldsmith shop in Kuala Lumpur and often travelled to Johor Bahru as he had a branch there.

"Abdullah Hadi's remains will be sent back to India soon by his cousin, who is also his business partner. The deceased had a wife and a 21-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son in India," he said.

Sharbudeen said Abdullah Hadi had been returning to India every six months to visit his family.

"I have informed his family there about the incident, and his friends are expected to come to pay their last respects to him before his remains will be flown home," he said.

Sharbudeen added that he and his friends got to know about the tragic incident after a photo of the deceased went viral on Facebook at noon yesterday. -- Bernama