A 4-YEAR-OLD girl remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia in Kubang Kerian after she was struck by a multi-purpose vehicle belonging to the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department during a department-organised family day event earlier this month.
The child, Nurul Afia Raisha Muhamad Shamsul, suffered severe abdominal injuries as well as fractures to her right shoulder, collarbone and ribs in the incident, which occurred at about 10.45am on 3 January at a resort in Bachok.
Her mother, Nurul Afzan Che Ramlee, 33, said her youngest child of three siblings is still dependent on breathing assistance after undergoing three minor surgical procedures on her chest. Despite showing some positive signs, the child’s condition remains critical.
Nurul Afzan, who is herself a Fire and Rescue Department officer stationed in Pahang, said her daughter was playing on a field where traditional games were being held when she was hit by a department vehicle that was reversing and driven by a firefighter.
“My daughter was then taken by an Emergency Medical Rescue Services vehicle to Bachok Hospital for initial treatment before being transferred to HUSM due to her critical condition.
“At the time of the incident, several other children were also playing in the same area because it was not a dangerous roadway but a recreational field that was considered safe.
“Honestly, I am deeply distressed by what happened and I hope appropriate action will be taken against the officer involved, as a police report has also been lodged in the interest of justice for my child,” she said when contacted today.
Nurul Afzan said she has had to take extended leave to care for Nurul Afia, while her husband, Muhamad Shamsul Sulaiman, 31, who is a daily-wage worker, has been taking turns with her to stay at the hospital.
“I have been informed that an internal investigation by the Fire and Rescue Department is also being conducted in relation to this case, and I hope the investigation will be carried out transparently by the relevant parties.
“Previously, we received visits from the directors of the Fire and Rescue Department in Pahang and Kelantan who came to check on our daughter’s condition, and I am grateful for the concern shown.
“At present, my two other children, Muhamad Afham Syafii, eight, and Nur Afrina Shafiyah, six, are being cared for by their father and my sibling, and they have had to transfer schools to Machang as my husband and I need to focus on caring for Nurul Afia,” she said.
She added that her days are now spent praying for her daughter’s recovery.
“Every day I can only pray that Nurul Afia will be strong enough to fight through this and return to her normal health. My heart breaks seeing her lying there like this, because she was previously an active and cheerful child,” she said.
Meanwhile, Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said his department has received three police reports related to the incident.
He said investigations are ongoing and the case is being probed under Section 43 of the Road Transport Act 1987.
“We have also recorded a statement from the driver of the vehicle involved, and for this case we will conduct the investigation transparently without taking sides,” he said. - January 18, 2026
.jpg)
