BATU PAHAT: A father was left devastated after one of his four children died and the other three were injured when the car they were travelling in skidded off Jalan Johor Baru-Melaka near Bagan last night.
Noorwandi A Rahim, 41, struggled to hold back his tears as he watched his children's condition before one of them succumbed to his injuries.
Recounting the incident, Noorwandi said he received a call from his younger sibling at about 10pm informing him that the car carrying his children, younger sister and brother-in-law had been involved in an accident.
He said he and his wife, Norfarahin Mohammad, 38, had just arrived home after having dinner together at a shopping mall.
"My wife and I were riding a motorcycle, while our children were in a car driven by my brother-in-law.
"When I arrived at the scene, I saw my children scattered on the road. Putera Muhaimin Qudrat, 16, was lying face down, with his face covered in sand and petrol.
"My wife and I immediately rushed to our other children, Puteri Nur Fairuza Balqis, 15, Putera Khairunas, 11, and Putera Aidin Firdaus, three. My brother-in-law, Nor Azlan Shaharudin, 27, was trapped in the driver's seat.
"I then laid Putera Muhaimin Qudrat down. He responded only once before falling silent.
"The medical team tried to revive him, but my son was pronounced dead," he said when met at the Forensic Department of Hospital Sultanah Nora Ismail (HSNI).
Noorwandi said his youngest child, Putera Aidin Firdaus, was still receiving treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) at the same hospital.
"Puteri Nur Fairuza Balqis suffered a fractured thigh, chest injuries and slight bleeding in the head, while Putera Khairunas sustained minor injuries and is now in stable condition.
"Putera Aidin Firdaus suffered bleeding in the head, as well as fractures to both arms, legs and a shoulder. He is currently under close observation by the medical team in the ICU.
"My younger sister, Rahmah A Rahim, 26, who is Nor Azlan's wife, is stable and has been warded. She told me that their car was hit from behind before the accident.
"The car then hit a bridge and another vehicle at a workshop before crashing into a coconut tree," he said.
Meanwhile, Batu Pahat district police chief Assistant Commissioner Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani said preliminary investigations found that the car was travelling from Batu Pahat towards Parit Moin, Bagan, when the accident occurred.
He said the driver was believed to have lost control of the vehicle, causing it to skid and crash into a roadside tree.
"All injured victims are still receiving treatment at HSNI. The case is being investigated under the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless driving causing death," he said.
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