Father recalls heartbreaking scene of daughter, grandchildren's fatal crash

TANJONG KARANG: A father is struggling to come to terms with the loss of his eldest daughter and two grandchildren in a road crash involving a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) and a lorry at Bukit Talang, Jalan Raja Musa, yesterday.

Mat Talpi Salamat, 72, said he rushed to the scene after receiving a call from his fifth child, Norhaslinda, 34, informing him that his eldest daughter, Norawalysa, 44, had been involved in the crash at about 1.30pm.

The grocery store owner arrived to find his grandchildren, Auni Syazana Suhaimi, 12, and Ahmad Syah Fawwaz Suhaimi, 8, lying at the scene, while firefighters worked to free Norawalysa, who was trapped in the vehicle.

Another grandchild, Ahmad Syah Fitri, 10, who was also in the MPV, sustained head injuries.

Recalling the tragedy at Masjid Darul Iman in Kampung Parit Serong last night, Mat Talpi fought back tears as he described seeing his grandchildren at the scene.

"When I arrived, I saw my grandchildren lying there, while firefighters were extricating their mother.

"Seeing that there was no hope, I kissed them right there. How can I forget them when they loved me so much?" he said.

Mat Talpi said he had last seen Norawalysa and her family the previous week, when they shared a meal of fried noodles prepared by her.

"I never imagined she and her children would leave us like this. She was my eldest child and an exemplary sibling. She was friendly and always willing to help. It is hard for our family to accept this trial," he said.

Norhaslinda said she noticed a change in her sister's demeanour during the family gathering the previous week.

"She usually talked a lot, but that day she was mostly silent. Only after she passed away did I realise it was a sign she would be leaving us forever," she said.

Norhaslinda said her sister had helped her greatly, particularly with career guidance and financial support.

"We accept her passing," she said.

Norawalysa and her two children were buried in a single grave at the Kampung Parit Serong Islamic Cemetery at 1am today.

The three died after their Proton Exora MPV crashed into the rear of a lorry yesterday afternoon.

Initial police investigations found that the lorry had pulled over onto the left shoulder of the road due to a flat tyre.

The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.