It was a heartbreaking day at the premises of the Forensic Unit of the Kuala Kangsar Hospital as the family members of five crash victims waited for the post-mortem process including the DNA test yesterday.
The tragic accident which occurred at 12.52 midnight of May 12 claimed the lives of the five victims who were students of Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (USAS).
Besides family members, present at the hospital were coursemates, lecturers, officers and Vice-Chancellor of USAS, Prof Tan Sri Dr Nordin.
In the accident along KM 245.2 of the North-South Expressway, the students were travelling in a Honda City which caught fire in a collision with a trailer carrying iron fences and another trailer carrying mosaic tiles.
The victims were identified as Muhammad Nasrun Aidol Munir Akbar, 22 (Kuala Kubu, Selangor); Ahmad Naim Najmi Ahmad Hafizan, 21 (Cukai, Terengganu); Iqbal Hasnun Halimi, 23 (Senai, Johor); Muhammad Nabil Haikal Muhammad Fariz, 19 (Batu Caves, Selangor) and Ahmad Akmal Ahmad Mokhlis, 20 (Parit Buntar, Perak).
Muhammad Nasrun and Iqbal Hasnun were pursuing a degree in Islamic studies; Ahmad Naim Najmi a degree in counselling; Muhammad Nabil Haikal a diploma in business administration and Ahmad Akmal a diploma in Islamic counselling.
In the accident, the drivers of the trailers aged 28 and 37 were not injured.
It was reported that the trailer carrying mosaic tiles was travelling on the right lane with the Honda City following behind because the left lane between KM246 and KM244.4 was closed for road maintenance.
The trailer and the car were believed to be slowing down when passing the lane, when suddenly another trailer carrying iron fences rammed into the back of the car.
Meanwhile, the police have remanded the trailer driver involved for further investigation.
The Kuala Kangsar Magistrate’s Court issued the remand order to aid investigation according to the Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987
In other developments, the state government would bear the full costs of the funerals for the five students.
According to the Vice-Chancellor of USAS, Prof Tan Sri Dr Nordin, his party would take care of the welfare of the victims’ family members such as accommodation and other necessities.
Rosli Mansor
