Karak Fatal Crash: A Halim's Final Photo A Lasting Memory For Family

TEMERLOH, June 15 (Bernama) -- A Halim Hasoon, 55, who was driving the car involved in yesterday's fatal accident at KM43 of the Kuala Lumpur-Karak (KLK) Expressway near Bentong, had sent a photograph to his family shortly before the tragedy.

The victim’s elder brother, Razali, 57, said the photograph was sent via WhatsApp a few hours before A Halim, a lorry driver, and his family were involved in the heartbreaking accident.

“Halim sent us a photo of him having a meal with his wife, daughter and granddaughter before the accident. We never imagined that would be the last time my late brother would communicate with us,” he said when met by reporters at the Forensic Medical Unit of Sultan Ahmad Shah Hospital here today.

Razali said he first learned about the tragedy through TikTok and travelled from Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, to Bentong for further information.

Meanwhile, Razali's wife, Mazura Bakar, 50, said she had been very close to her brother-in-law since before he got married.

“My late brother-in-law often shared his thoughts and concerns with me because he did not have any sisters. Whenever he faced a problem, he would confide in me. The last time we met was during Aidilfitri,” she said.

In the 4.30 pm incident, a trailer carrying a load of iron dust overturned onto the Honda City carrying A Halim, his wife Rozita Buang, 58, their daughter Norbahyah, 26, and his one-year-old granddaughter, Nayla Afya Aizat Faizal, all of whom died at the scene.

The remains of the four family members will be laid to rest at the Mempaga Muslim Cemetery in Bentong after the Asar prayers today.

A Bernama check at the hospital's Forensic Medical Unit found that a Psychological First Aid (PFA) team was also on hand to provide support to the victims’ family members, if needed.

Meanwhile, Zaiham said the lorry driver has been remanded for four days, from today, to assist in investigations under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

KLK Expressway concessionaire AFA Prime Bhd, in a statement issued via WhatsApp, said traffic congestion was reported along the KM40.8 to KM43.3 stretch as of 2.47 pm today due to vehicle recovery operations following yesterday's accident.

It is understood that the trailer also caught fire during the recovery operation yesterday, after all the victims had been successfully extricated.

-- BERNAMA