Siblings comfort toddler after death of parents in Malaysia highway crash

BUTTERWORTH - It was a heartbreaking sight to see two-year-old Mohd Khairi Zafran Khairizul sitting by the grave of his mother Zuriana Hasan during her funeral.

The 35-year-old died from injuries following a traffic accident.

She had spent two months in hospital since the accident in February.

Zuriana and her husband, factory worker Khairizul Mohamad Noor, 38, were involved in a road accident with the driver of the car under the influence of alcohol.

The grave of Khairizul, who was killed on the spot, was mere metres away.

Surrounded by family members and his four sisters, Mohd Khairi was seen looking around as if searching for his parents as the last rites were being carried out.

His four sisters, Nur Afni Nirwana, 16, Nur Istna Nadira, 14, Nur Erna Nabila, 12, and Nur Qurratu Ain, seven, stayed close to him throughout the funeral at the Jalan Hj Mohd Saad Islamic Cemetery here yesterday.

"Whenever my brother asks for mum or dad, we show him photos of them on the mobile phone. That's all we can do. Sometimes, he can't fall asleep and keeps asking for his mum, " said Nur Afni Nirwana.

She added that her mother never fully regained consciousness.

"She responded to my voice but never spoke a word. I could only look at her in sorrow.

​"In my head, her voice is still clear. I will keep my promise to care for my siblings and make sure they study hard in school, " she said in between sobs.

The last time she saw her mother, said Nur Afni Nirwana, was on Saturday morning before she passed away, adding that she hoped there would be justice for her family.

The five siblings are living with their grandparents in Kampung Bagan Jermal.

On Feb 9, at about 5am, the motorcycle the couple rode was hit from behind by a car driven by a man believed to be drunk on the North-South Expressway near Butterworth.

The 34-year-old driver was detained for investigations and a breath test later found him to be driving under the influence of alcohol. He also has three speed trap summonses against him.

The accident was investigated under Section 44 of the Road Transport Act 1987 for driving under the influence of alcohol and causing death.