Malaysia

Doctors suspect food blocked airway of seven-year-old who died at school - victim's father

The father of a seven-year-old girl who died after suffering breathing difficulties at school says doctors suspect her airway was blocked by food, possibly a banana or chicken

Updated 9 minutes ago · Published on 20 Oct 2026 5:37PM

Doctors suspect food blocked airway of seven-year-old who died at school - victim's father
Mior Shahrizal Mior Zakaria, 48, says doctors informed him of the possibility, but the exact cause had not been established (Photo from Sinar Harian) - October 20, 2026

DOCTORS suspect food, possibly a banana or chicken, blocked the airway of a seven-year-old girl who died after experiencing breathing difficulties at school, her father said.

Mior Shahrizal Mior Zakaria, 48, said doctors had informed him of the possibility, but the exact cause had not been established.

He said he rushed to the school after being informed that his daughter was having difficulty breathing.

Upon arriving, he found her unconscious on the second-floor corridor and tried to revive her, including performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but she did not respond.

“About 15 minutes later, the ambulance arrived. By then, my daughter was still unresponsive,” he said.

The girl had reportedly experienced breathing difficulties in her classroom before being taken to Putrajaya Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on Monday.

Sepang district police chief Assistant Commissioner Norhizam Bahaman said police received a report on the incident at 7.30pm on Monday.

The girl received initial respiratory assistance at the scene before being taken to the hospital for further treatment.

Mior Shahrizal said he had stopped working in early January to focus on his daughter's schooling, including taking her to and collecting her from school every day.

He said she attended religious school in the morning before going to national school in the afternoon.

Describing his daughter as active, he said she had behaved differently on the day before the incident.

“Usually, when she returned from religious school, she would be reluctant to shower. But yesterday, when I told her to shower, she got up immediately and did it herself.

“She also put on her school uniform and headscarf by herself without asking for my help, as she usually did,” he said.

He added that his daughter had been very close to him and would often share stories or turn to him whenever she faced problems.

Despite the loss, Mior Shahrizal said he accepted what had happened with an open heart. - October 20, 2026

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