“Mummy, it hurts so much”: Daughter’s final call before fatal Penang accident

In her final moments, 21-year-old Lee Zi Rou called her mother, crying out in pain after a cargo container fell onto her car at a traffic light in Penang’s Jalan Bukit Tengah.

“Mummy, it hurts so much!” Ms Lee said during the call, which ended in silence.

The tragedy unfolded on the morning of 13 November 2024. Her mother, Ms Lim, 42, said her daughter called at 9.24am but passed away just minutes later at 9.30am.

“I sensed she had died,” Ms Lim said at her daughter’s wake, recalling the heart-wrenching moment.

The fatal accident occurred when a trailer driver allegedly lost control of his vehicle while making a sharp turn.

The container toppled, crushing Ms Lee’s car and injuring a 25-year-old man, identified as Tan Chou Theng, in a five-vehicle collision. Mr Tan was rescued by passers-by and rushed to hospital.

Ms Lim said she had told her daughters to only call in emergencies. When Ms Lee phoned, she immediately feared the worst.

Desperately trying to reach her again after the call dropped, Ms Lim enlisted her other daughter to drive through Ms Lee’s usual route to work.

A bystander eventually answered Ms Lee’s phone, informing Ms Lim of the accident’s location. “It was impossible for her to survive,” Ms Lim recounted tearfully. “The container was too heavy.”

The incident has sparked an investigation under Section 41(1) of Malaysia’s Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless driving.

The 51-year-old trailer driver has been remanded for four days. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of RM50,000, and disqualification from driving for up to 20 years.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke condemned the accident as “tragic and regrettable,” pledging a comprehensive investigation.

He stated that the trailer company’s licence would be suspended if found non-compliant with safety regulations.

The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research has been tasked with determining whether technical issues or negligence in securing the container contributed to the accident.

Mr Loke also criticised the driver for an insensitive gesture during his court appearance, where he was seen making a peace sign to the media.

“This shows a lack of sympathy for the grieving family,” Mr Loke said.

The incident has sparked public outrage, with netizens demanding stricter enforcement of road safety laws.

Many paid tribute to Ms Lee, a young woman whose life was tragically cut short, while others called for justice and accountability.

Urine tests conducted on the driver returned negative for alcohol, according to Assistant Commissioner Helmi Aris, Seberang Perai Tengah District Police Chief.

As Ms Lee’s family grieves her untimely death, Ms Lim expressed her devastation, saying, “I begged the bystanders to help rescue her, but it was too late.”

The accident underscores the urgent need for stringent safety measures in Malaysia, particularly for heavy vehicles, to prevent further tragedies on the roads.