Family burnt to death in Terengganu accident

The dead were Sabirin Sulaiman, 50, a teacher, his wife Halina Saif@Saib,40, and their daughters Siti Aisyah Sabirin, 14, and Siti Khatijah Sabirin, 12.

Terengganu police chief Datuk Jamshah Mustapa said in the 1.30am incident, the family were on their way from Kuantan to Dungun in their Kia Sephia car when it was believed to have gone out of control into the path of the express bus coming from the opposite direction.

"The express bus on its way from Kota Baharu to Melaka dragged the car for about some 30 metres. The car then caught fire which also spread to the bus which was ferrying eight passengers," he told reporters at the scene.

He said the bus driver and passengers escaped with only minor injuries except for one who broke a leg when jumping out for safety.

Jamshah said the family were returning to their home in Dungun after attending a chess competition in which the girls participated.

He said Mohd Sabirin taught Japanese language at Sekolah Menengah Tengku Intan Zaharah (SMTIZ), Dungun and that the family lived in Jalan Tok Mudim, Batu 5, Dungun. "It was raining lightly at the time and it is believed the road was slippery. However, a detailed investigation is being carried out," he said.

"I advise the public to be extra carfeul when driving in wet weather at this stretch of the road because it is potholed and in the last two weeks, three road fatalities have been recorded here because of this factor," he said.

Mohd Sabirin and the girls were burnt beyond recognition while their mother suffered burns up to her waist.

One of the passengers, Wan Mohd Al-hakim Wan Yusoff ,27, said he was just about to doze off after replying to an SMS to a friend moments before the accident.

"Then suddenly I noticed the bus was veering to the left before there was a thunderous sound followed by shouts for help from outside the bus.

"Within a few seconds there were flames all over in front of the bus. Fear gripped me and my immediate thoughts were on the safety of my son Wan Mohd Adam Al-Haqq who had been flung from his seat because of the impact and was lying on the aisle which was filled with thick smoke," he said.

He said the passengers then rushed to the emergeny exit but it failed to open but luckily one of the passengers managed to break down the main door to get to safety.