The father of a 12-year-old boy who died after being crushed by a concrete block has urged the public not to blame his wife or family over the tragic incident.
The victim, Mohammad Yusof Nor Ismail, was killed in the accident while another child was injured after both were reportedly involved in a fall into a sand pit that later collapsed under a concrete slab at Kampung Telaga Papan, Semerak.
The boy’s father, Nor Ismail Nasir, 52, said his son was a child with special needs, diagnosed with autism and hyperactivity, making him difficult to control.
“My son was an autistic child who was quite active. I accept what has happened,” he said when met at Kampung Bukit Gedombak.
He explained that he was working in Pasir Mas installing glass when he received a call from his wife, Nurul Anis Abdul Rahman, 36, informing him that their son had fallen and needed urgent medical attention.
“When I arrived home, I saw police presence. My son was a special needs child and quite active. I have accepted this fate,” he added.
According to earlier police reports by Pasir Puteh District Police Chief Superintendent Saari Yaacob, two children with learning disabilities from the Integrated Special Education Programme (PPKI) at SK Dalam Rhu had fallen into a sand pit before being trapped under a concrete slab believed to have shifted due to soil erosion.
One of the children died at the scene, while the other sustained neck injuries and is receiving treatment at hospital.
Nor Ismail said the concrete structure, estimated to weigh over 200kg, was not an area where his son usually played, but acknowledged that the child was highly active despite family supervision.
Meanwhile, the victim’s mother said the incident occurred while she was at home with three younger children, while Mohammad Yusof and another child, Mohd Yunus Nasir, 12, were playing outside with a relative.
She said another child later alerted her that the boys had fallen into a sand hole and were trapped under a concrete slab.
“I rushed to the scene and saw my son face down in the sand pit. I called villagers to help remove the concrete and I even went into the pit myself to pull him out,” she said.
She added that her son was still alive at that moment and managed to speak his final words, saying he would not be able to go to school anymore.
The boy was later laid to rest at the Kampung Wakaf Berangan Muslim cemetery after post-mortem procedures at Hospital Tengku Anis were completed.
The second victim is currently receiving treatment at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II in Kota Bharu.
