'Most tragic I've ever seen': Rescuer on family of 6 found in sunken car

New Straits Times

08-07-2025

JITRA: A rescuer described recovering the bodies of six family members — including a six-month-old baby — from a submerged car in Sungai Korok as the most heartbreaking operation of his career.
"Throughout my time with the Kedah Fire and Rescue Department, this is the most tragic and heartbreaking case I've ever attended.
"The saddest moment was when my team and I carried the bodies of the baby and the three small children," said Mohammad Hasri Haslan, 31, a Water Rescue Team member from the Jitra Fire and Rescue station.
Hasri said he was seated on top of the Proton Iswara as it was being lifted from the riverbank, overwhelmed with sorrow as the bodies were removed one by one.
"The first was a young girl, followed by a six-month-old baby boy, then a young boy. The fourth was another girl, the fifth was their mother, and finally, the driver of the car — the children's father.
"I have children of my own... seeing that was truly heartbreaking. The baby especially — it was devastating," he said.
Hasri, who has years of experience recovering bodies from water, said nothing compared to the sorrow he felt during yesterday's operation.
Still, he said, he had to remain focused on his duty despite the emotional toll.
"Sungai Korok is deep — about six metres," he added.
The bodies of the six — who had been reported missing early Saturday after visiting a relative in Taman Seri Aman — were found inside a Proton Iswara submerged in the river.
They were identified as Mohamad Azim Izat Ishak, 32; his wife, Nurul Hidayah Khadijah Razman Efendi, 31; and their children, Putra Rayyan Nur Izzat, 9; Hawa Adriana Nur Izzat, 8; Annayla Humaira Nur Izzat, 7; and six-month-old Tuah Haydar.
Kedah Fire and Rescue Department Zone 1 chief Ahmad Aminuddin Abd Rahim said the family are believed to have tried to escape but were found huddled together at the back of the car.
All six were buried in a single grave at the Kampung Bohor Karang Muslim Cemetery in Jerlun at 11.50pm last night.