Only immediate family members allowed to visit bus crash victims

Only immediate family members are allowed to visit crash victims at the Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital (HPSF), especially the wife of the bus driver involved in the bus tragedy at Km137.3 of the North-South Highway near Pagoh.

HPSF director Dr Selahuddeen Abd Aziz said Miyarseh Kemat (bus driver's wife) was now in stable condition and still receiving treatment for her fractured left leg.

"We only allow immediate family members to visit Miyarseh so that it will not affect the treatment process by the psychologists and counsellors who are constantly monitoring her condition. She has been traumatized by the death of her child and husband," he told Bernama when contacted here today.

Dr Selahuddeen said Miyarseh had learned what had happened to her husband and daughter but still needed more time to fully recover.

Miyarseh's husband Zakeer Zubir, their one-year-old daughter Nur Natasha Zahara, and 12 others were killed in the accident that occurred in the wee hours of Saturday while 16 other passengers were injured.

On the condition of four injured victims who are being treated in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Dr Selahuddeen said they were also visited by immediate family members only because they are suffering emotional distress and recovering from their injuries.

They are R. Nagadevan, Kesavan, R. Govindara (an Indian national) and Zaw Oo (a Myanmar national).

Meanwhile, Miyarseh's mother-in-law Rashidah Abdul Rahim, 61, said she would bring Miyarseh's two other daughters, who are staying with her, to visit their mother in a day or two.

Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said the family members of those involved in the crash could refer to the Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAIJ) to get assistance that had been promised by the state government.

"We are aware and understand the difficulties and grief their families are facing right now," he said.

Ayub also commended the efficiency of the staff of the HPSF and other agencies during the rescue operation.-- BERNAMA