‘Balik kampung’ turns tragic after three in family killed in accident on expressway

KLUANG: What was supposed to be an exciting “balik kampung” journey turned into a tragedy when three members of a family died in an accident while travelling back to their hometown for Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Taufiq Bani, 33, said his sister, Siti Khazira, 35, and her husband, Nasaarudin Pardi, along with their four children, were on their way to Kota Tinggi from Kuala Lumpur when they were involved in the four-vehicle accident here.

“It was such a shock for us. My sister sent us a text on our family WhatsApp group when she was about to start her journey from Kuala Lumpur.

“At about 11.25pm, I asked her in the group if there was heavy traffic congestion as it was very late, but she did not reply.

“I waited until about 2.30am, but they never showed up. At around 5am, my father received a call informing him about the devastating news,” he told reporters when met at the Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital yesterday (March 28).

He added that the family had planned to have their sahur (pre-dawn) meal together on Wednesday (March 28) morning, but it never came to be.

“I remember my sister saying that her family would be wearing matching black outfits for Aidilfitri. Sadly, that wish will never come true,” he said.

He added that his sister’s three surviving children, who were injured in the accident, were still trying to digest what had happened.

“My parents have informed them, but they are still trying to process the whole thing,” he said, adding that his four-year-old nephew has been allowed to return home while his nine-year-old nephew and seven-year-old niece are still being treated at the hospital.

It was earlier reported that five people, including a two-year-old, were killed in an accident involving a trailer and three cars at KM58.1 of the North-South Expressway here.

Kluang OCPD Asst Comm Bahrin Mohd Noh said the accident happened when the front-right tyre of the lorry burst at about 11.30pm on Thursday (March 27).

“The lorry lost control and brushed against a car before veering into the opposite lane and crashing into the other two cars.

“One of the cars caught fire, but all its passengers were pulled out before the vehicle was engulfed in flames,” he said.

He said the driver and passenger in the other car were killed at the scene.

“A two-year-old girl who was in one of the cars was also killed at the scene while her parents died on the way to the hospital.

“The toddler’s three other siblings, who are between four and nine years old, suffered from serious injuries and have been hospitalised,” he said, adding that the 35-year-old lorry driver suffered leg and hip injuries.

ACP Bahrin said the trailer’s driver tested negative for drugs and has no prior criminal record.

“Police have arrested him for further investigation,” he said, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving.