Chiang Mai bus crash: Injured passenger still does not know of husband's death

Lim Guat Huey, 54, who was injured in a bus tragedy that killed 13 Malaysians in Chiang Mai, Thailand has not been told that her husband, Ker Ah Hwee was among those killed in the accident.

According to her brother-in-law, Kik Kiaw Guan, 71, the whole family had no plans to inform Lim yet to make sure she recovers and had the mental strength and stability to face the tragic news since she is receiving treatment for injuries at the McCormick Hospital.

"Lim asked about her husband and we had to lie that Ker was critically injured. That is why her husband could not visit her in the ward. We have no intention of telling her the truth (the demised) yet.

"However as for now she needs rest to recover from the trauma. The doctor has advised to do so," he said when met with his wife, Goh Kim Heok, 65, at the Koon Yew Association Funeral Parlour, here Thursday.

The couple were flown to Chiang Mai on Monday to identify their family members who were involved in the tragedy.

Kik said he came to know about the incident at 9pm last Sunday after coming across the list of victims via internet.

He and his wife later travelled from their house in Muar to the Chiu Travel Sdn Bhd office at Jalan Rahmat, here and decided to go to Chiang Mai to identify the body.

"My wife and I were not aware that Lim and Ker were visiting Chiang Mai. However, they have been frequently travelling overseas," he added.

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He hoped that his sister-in-law who suffered serious head injuries would recover soon as her two sons were currently placed under her mother's custody and also hoped his younger brother's remains would be cremated on Friday in Pagoh.

On Sunday, 13 passengers were killed after the bus carrying 22 Malaysians crashed at 11.30am (12.30pm in Malaysia) following an accident with a pickup truck while travelling from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai.