Advertisements
KOTA TINGGI: A family’s long-awaited Hari Raya photo session turned into heartbreak when three of their members lost their lives in a horrific road accident involving four vehicles at KM58.1 of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) near Kluang, last night.
Nur Hafiza Bani, 36, shared the devastating news, revealing that her sister, Siti Khazira Bani, 35, her brother-in-law, Nasaarudin Pardi, 36, and their two-year-old son tragically perished while travelling from Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, back to their parents’ home in Taman Kota Jaya for the festive celebration.
“Our family had planned a Raya photo session at 10 AM today, but now it will never happen. They left Bukit Jalil after Isyak prayers. Around 11.30 PM, my younger brother messaged to ask if the road was congested, but there was no reply. That was unusual for her. She never failed to respond to our messages.
Advertisements
“She was always by her husband’s side during long drives and would never let her phone battery die. At around 3 AM, we received a heartbreaking call informing us they had been in an accident,” she said when met at her parents’ residence.
The deceased couple leaves behind four children. The youngest tragically died in the accident, while the other two are currently receiving medical treatment and are reported to be in stable condition. The eldest child is staying with their grandmother in Kota Tinggi.
“We have no issues taking care of the surviving children as they are close to their grandmother,” said Nur Hafiza, who is the eldest sibling. She recalled their last family gathering during the first week of Ramadan, where they managed to break fast together.
The remains of Siti Khazira, her husband, and their son will be laid to rest at the Kampung Makam Islamic Cemetery in Kota Tinggi.
Earlier, Kluang District Police Chief ACP Bahrin Mohd Noh confirmed that five people, including a two-year-old child, died in the multi-vehicle accident at KM58.1 PLUS at approximately 11.30 PM.
Investigations revealed that the tragedy unfolded when a lorry suffered a flat tire, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle then collided with a Toyota Camry before veering into the opposite lane, crashing into a Proton X50 and a Honda Stepwagon Spada, which carried the deceased family members.
As a result, a 35-year-old lorry driver has been arrested for further investigation. Authorities urge all motorists to remain cautious, especially during festive seasons, to prevent such devastating accidents. — Bernama