The family of a young couple who were killed in a fiery crash along the North–South Expressway on Monday (Jan 19) is considering holding a traditional ghost marriage for the deceased pair.
The victims were identified as Pang Seng Chin, 20, a businessman from Perlis, and Tan Hui Shan, 19, from Penang. The couple were travelling in a Honda Civic FD when the car crashed at the northbound Jitra toll plaza in Kedah, according to Bernama.
The vehicle reportedly lost control and slammed into the toll lane divider before overturning and catching fire. Kubang Pasu police chief Superintendent Radzi Abdul Rahim said both victims died at the scene.
The Kedah Fire and Rescue Department extinguished the blaze at about 1.23am. Heavy equipment was later used to cut open the car and retrieve the victims’ bodies, which were badly charred. The vehicle was about 85 per cent destroyed.
Speaking after the incident, Pang’s father said the family is considering arranging a ghost marriage, also known as a posthumous marriage, so the couple can be reunited in the afterlife. He told Guang Ming Daily that the ceremony could help fulfil what he believed were the couple’s final wishes, adding that their remains may also be buried together.
He said the family is awaiting DNA test results, expected within one or two days, before funeral arrangements can proceed, and stressed that consent from Tan’s family would be sought before any ceremony is held.
However, Tan’s father told China Press that a ghost marriage is not the family’s priority at this time. He said their only wish is for their daughter to have a peaceful final journey.
Tan’s father also said police had shown him CCTV footage of the car prior to the crash, which appeared to show the vehicle travelling at high speed. He claimed the car took only three to four minutes to travel from the previous toll plaza to the crash site.
It was understood that Pang’s father has apologised to Tan’s family following the tragedy.
Police are investigating the case under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless driving.
