News

Thursday October 11, 2012

Six killed in car-bus collision

By FARIK ZOLKEPLI
farik@thestar.com.my


Total wreck: The condition of the Perodua Viva after the crash in Kemaman. Total wreck: The condition of the Perodua Viva after the crash in Kemaman.

KEMAMAN: Six people died in a head-on collision between their Perodua Viva and an express bus near SK Meraga Beras at KM129.5 here.

The victims were on their way from Kemaman to Kuala Terengganu when the incident occurred at about 4.30am yesterday.

The deceased: Wan Alpisar The deceased: Wan Alpisar

It is learnt that the victims' car went into the opposite lane before colliding with the bus.

The bus, driven by Mohd Khalid Mamat, 47, from Kota Baru, Kelantan, was carrying 23 passengers.

The Perodua Viva's driver, Khairudi Omar, 31, and his disabled friend Wan Alpisar Wan Abd Kadir, 43, died on the spot along with four others in the car.

The other victims were Noran Ali, 39, and her three daughters Nur Khairatul Najihah, 14, Nur Syazleen Norizan, 10, and Nur Syardiena Afzan, nine.

The deceased: Noran. The deceased: Noran.

Noran's two other daughters, Nursakinah, 17, and Nursyafura, 13, are in critical condition and were sent to Kemaman Hospital before being transferred to the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital in Kuantan, Pahang.

Kemaman Deputy OCPD Deputy Supt Abdul Malek Hakim Johar said initial investigations revealed that the bus driver tried to swerve to avoid hitting the car but it was too late.

“We are still investigating the cause of the accident,'' he said.

The deceased: Nur Syardiena. The deceased: Nur Syardiena.

Noran's daughter Nursyamira Norizan, 21, said her mother would always surprise her with her visits.

“She loved to visit me and her grandchildren ... I am shocked I will never see her again,” she said when met at Kemaman Hospital.

Noran was on her way to Nursyamira's home in Bukit Tunggal, Kuala Terengganu, when the accident occurred.

The deceased: Nur Syazleen. The deceased: Nur Syazleen.

Noran's husband Norizan Othman, 49, said he saw his wife for the last time at about 4pm on Tuesday.

“My last words to her was goodbye'. I kissed her on the cheek ... it was our last kiss,” he said, adding that he returned home from work at about 10pm as he had an uneasy feeling something bad was about to happen.

“I dozed off and only knew about my wife and daughters' deaths at 6am ... even then I thought it was a nightmare,” he said.

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