'Tears rolled down my cheeks': Rescuer's anguish over family of six found drowned

With over ten years of experience in the fire service, a rescuer described this particular case as the most distressing and tragic he has ever faced.

08 Jul 2025 03:49pm

Hasri (inset) was visibly overcome with emotion as bodies of the six family members were recovered from the submerged car in Sungai Korok, Jerlun. – Awani photo

ALOR SETAR – “I couldn’t hold back my emotions, tears rolled down my cheeks as each body was pulled from the car.”

Those were the emotional words of Mohammad Hasri Haslan, 31, a member of the Water Rescue Unit (PPDA) from the Jitra Fire and Rescue Station.

The missing family of six were tragically found in a submerged car in Sungai Korok. – Bernama photo

He recalled the heartbreaking rescue mission involving a family of six whose car skidded and plunged into Sungai Korok, near Jerlun.

With over ten years of experience in the fire service, Hasri described this particular case as the most distressing and tragic he has ever faced.

“This is by far the most emotional and tragic case I’ve been involved in.

“The moment that truly broke me was when my fellow team members and I lifted the bodies of a six-month-old baby and three young children. It was heartbreaking," he said.

Speaking at the scene where the vehicle was discovered, Hasri recounted the moment they broke the rear window of the Proton Iswara and saw the victims huddled together in the back seat.

All six family members were laid to rest in a single grave on Monday night. - File photo

“The first body we recovered was a young girl, followed by the baby boy, then a young boy. The fourth was another girl, then their mother, and finally, the father, who was driving.

“I’m a father myself. Seeing the baby’s lifeless body brought me to tears. It was devastating to imagine what they went through," he added.

Despite the emotional toll, Hasri and his team pressed on with their duties, determined to bring the family home with dignity and care.

The tragedy was reported on Monday, following the discovery of all six family members who had gone missing early Saturday morning after visiting relatives in Taman Seri Aman.

Their vehicle was found submerged in Sungai Korok, with all of them still inside.

The victims were identified as Mohamad Azim Izat Ishak, 32, his wife Nurul Hidayah Khadijah Razman Efendi, 31, and their four children: Putra Rayyan Nur Izzat, 9; Hawa Adriana Nur Izzat, 8; Annayla Humaira Nur Izzat, 7; and baby Tuah Haydar, just six months old.

All six were laid to rest together in a single grave at the Kampung Bohor Karang Muslim Cemetery in Jerlun at approximately 11:50 pm on Monday night. - AWANI