JOHOR BARU: The accident at Km204 of the North-South Expressway northbound, near Alor Gajah, Melaka, last night, dealt a devastating blow to the family of the tour bus driver involved in the crash.
The eldest son of the late Noorisnien Khamid, 56, Mohamad Norzuhairi, 33, said he learned about the accident that claimed his father's life from a friend at 9.50pm.
His younger sister, Siti Norizyan, 30, then called three hospitals around Melaka to confirm the incident and check if their father's name was listed at any emergency unit.
"But my father's name was not found in any emergency department. At that moment, I was certain that he had passed away," said Siti Norizyan.
Mohamad Norzuhairi described his late father as quiet, firm, yet occasionally humorous.
"We lived apart but were close and often kept in touch. The last time I chatted with my father on WhatsApp was last Wednesday, and the last time we met was at a cousin's wedding in October.
"I regret not fulfilling some of my father's requests, as I never expected this tragedy to happen.
"What he asked of me turned out to be his final wishes," he said.
Earlier, Noorisnien's remains were laid to rest at the Kampung Maju Jaya Muslim Cemetery here at 5.30pm, following funeral prayers at Masjid Jamek Al-Falah after Asar.
Approximately 100 family members, including his four children, grandchildren, friends, and mosque congregants, attended to pay their last respects.
The late Noorisnien, the seventh of eight siblings, lived here in Kampung Tawakal, Kempas.
The 8.40pm accident involved a tour bus driven by Noorisnien, a Foton lorry, a trailer, a Toyota Estima MPV, and a Perodua Bezza.
Seven people lost their lives in the tragedy, including a family of five.