Malaysia – A 12-year-old student was killed instantly after falling through the rotting floorboard of a moving bus on July 4 (Thursday).
Wan Muhammed Adam Mohd Suria was said to have been standing with his friends on the steps of the bus entrance when the floorboard gave way, reported the New Straits Times.
According to a witness, “The victim lost his balance and fell off the bus. His friends only realised about the rotting board on the floor after the incident, as earlier it had been covered with some kind of material.”
The child suffered head and body injuries and was reported to have died instantly.
His body was taken to Tengku Anis Hospital for post-mortem examination, said the New Straits Times.
A Year Six student at Sekolah Kebangsaan Tok Bok in Machang, Wan Muhammed Adam, along with 31 other students in the same level, were on their way to Bukit Keluang, Terengganu to attend a two-day English course organised by Universiti Teknologi Mara.
Wan Muhammed Adam’s mother, Nik Hasmani Mohamad, 44, shared with Bernama that her son was active in sports and games such as chess, football and volleyball.
“He was also a prefect at SK Tok Bok,” said the mother to reporters.
Adam had represented the school at their district and earned several certificates for various games, reported Bernama.
Although deeply disheartened by the tragedy of losing her youngest and only son, Nik Hasmani and her family have accepted the sudden loss to be Adam’s fate.
Nik Hasmani shared that Adam’s remains were to be buried on the same day at the Bukit Bakar Muslim cemetery once the autopsy was completed.
Sinar Harian Edisi Kelantan shared a Facebook live stream of the funeral.
District police chief DSP Mohd Azmir Damiri of Pasir Puteh confirmed the incident in a statement and said the victim was playing at the front area of the bus near the driver’s seat when the rusty bus flooring broke off and Adam fell through.
It has not been determined whether the bus was rented or belonged to the school.
A statement on the incident will soon be released by the Kelantan State Education department, said director Abu Hanipah Fauzi Zahari.