A GRANDFATHER has been left devastated following the tragic death of his beloved granddaughter in a road accident—only to later discover that the driver involved was his own son.
Ismail Hassan, 69, said he is still reeling from the sudden loss of his granddaughter, Noor Amilia Salwa Mohd Suhairi, a Form Three student from Sekolah Menengah Padang Kala, who had been under his care since she was five years old.
The fatal accident occurred around 5.30pm on Saturday in Kampung Kayu Rendang, Melor near Kota Bharu. Ismail initially believed that his fourth son out of seven siblings, Muhamad Faris, 33, had merely been involved in a collision.
"I went to the scene to check on my son after being told he had been in an accident, but when I arrived, I discovered not only was he involved, but my granddaughter too," Ismail recounted when met at his home in Kampung Kayu Besar on Tuesday.
He explained that at the time of the incident, Muhamad Faris was returning to his home in Melor after finishing his job as a house builder in Pasir Pekan, Tumpat.
"Upon reaching the location, a motorcycle is believed to have suddenly turned right into a junction heading towards a noodle shop," he said.
According to Ismail, the motorcyclist's unexpected manoeuvre left Muhamad Faris with no time to brake, causing him to crash into the motorcycle carrying Noor Amilia Salwa. Both were thrown onto the road as a result.
He added, "Muhamad Faris only realised that the person he had hit was his own niece after the ambulance arrived."
"Even now, he is still traumatised and grieving over the loss of his niece," he said.
Ismail shared that Noor Amilia sustained serious injuries to her head and lungs, as well as a broken right arm. She was taken to Hospital Pakar USM (HPUSM) for treatment but was pronounced dead at 10.30am on Monday.
She was later buried at the Mukim Haji Hussin Melor Lama Cemetery.
"After her passing, I recalled how Noor Amilia once mentioned that her late father had called out to her. I thought she was just joking," said Ismail.
"Before leaving the house that afternoon, she said she was reminiscing about her father, who passed away nine years ago after falling at work. He used to bring back noodle soup for her," he added. - April 29, 2025
