MELAKA - "I am not strong; it has only been 10 months since their father passed away, and now I have lost two children," said Norizan Ujak, 40, a grieving single mother, after her two children were killed in an accident on Jalan Lebuh SPA, near Hang Jebat Stadium, Krubong, on Monday evening.
In the incident, which occurred at 6.15pm, her eldest son, Muhammad Amirul Hazlin, 18, and youngest daughter, Nur Afiqa Sofea Hazlin, 5, succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment at Melaka Hospital.
Norizan, who witnessed the tragedy unfold before her eyes, recounted the horrifying moment when the motorcycle ridden by her children collided with a large bulk waste bin, sending them crashing onto the road.
"I could only scream, 'Oh Allah, my children!' as I watched the accident happen," she said, explaining that she had been following them on another motorcycle when they struck the bin.
At the time of the accident, the family was on their way to the Islamic Cemetery in Bertam Ulu to visit the grave of Norizan’s late husband, who had passed away due to complications from illnesses, including diabetes.
"We had planned to have a meal together after the visit, but we never expected it to end in this tragedy," Norizan told reporters at Melaka Hospital on Monday night.
She expressed deep sorrow, explaining that the bulk waste bin had been placed on the shoulder of the emergency lane, giving her children no time to avoid it, as a truck occupied the right lane.
She added that the bin, which was placed there for tree waste disposal, lacked adequate safety measures, such as properly positioned traffic cones.
"There were no contractor workers managing traffic to ensure road users' safety at the time.
"This negligence has cost me two children at once.
"I hope the authorities take strict action to prevent this from happening to anyone else," Norizan said, calling for action.
In addition to the tragic loss of her children, Norizan lamented the loss of her family’s main source of income.
Her late husband had passed away in November, and her eldest son, Amirul, had been working part-time as a car wash attendant to support the family.
Earlier reports from Sinar stated that the siblings were on their way to visit their father’s grave when the accident occurred.
Both victims were pronounced dead at 7.40pm and 12.30am on Tuesday while being treated in Melaka Hospital.
Melaka Tengah district police chief Assistant Commissioner Christopher Patit confirmed that the motorcycle riders did not appear to notice the bulk waste bin on the road shoulder before crashing.