What we know about the Sungai Petani crash that killed six family members in a brand-new Proton X50

SHAH ALAM - A family outing turned into a devastating tragedy on Sunday when a Proton X50 carrying seven members of the same family collided head-on with a 10-tonne lorry in Kedah, killing six of them instantly. Only a three-year-old girl survived.

What happened

The crash occurred along Kampung Baru Pinang Tunggal near Sungai Petani, Kedah, on the afternoon of June 7.

Tikam Batu Fire and Rescue Station chief Asst Fire Supt Fauzi Shuaib said authorities received a call about the crash at 3.46pm and a team of firefighters was immediately dispatched to the scene.

Dashcam footage that has since gone viral showed the Proton X50 entering the opposite lane while travelling along a straight stretch of road before colliding with a lorry carrying a load of soil.

Emergency responders who arrived at the scene found that six individuals had died instantly due to the severity of the crash.

Who were the victims

The six killed were Ahmad Syafiq Ahmad Shukri, 29; Ahmad Fahim Ahmad Shukri, 21; Jamaliah Sannusi, 29; Nora Mohd Husin, 55; Iskandar Affan Ibrahim, 7; and Ahmad Mikail Ahmad Syafiq, aged two months.

The only survivor was a three-year-old girl, who was rushed to hospital for treatment.

Where they were going

The group was travelling to Merbok to visit the grave of a late family member.

The family stopped at Ibrahim Ghazali’s house in Bertam Putra, Penang, to pick up his son Iskandar Arfan along the way.

Ibrahim said his son had been particularly excited about riding in the new vehicle and was still having his meal when his in-laws arrived, before he immediately washed his hands and got into the SUV.

The car was brand new

The Proton X50 involved in the crash had just been purchased and delivered earlier that same day. According to police, the vehicle belonged to 21-year-old Ahmad Fahim, who had reportedly purchased it just a day before the crash.

Confusion over the driver

Police have clarified that the X50 was actually driven by 21-year-old Ahmad Fahim. An earlier report had incorrectly identified the driver due to severe damage sustained by the vehicle in the crash.

Initial reports stated the SUV was being driven by Ahmad Syafiq, a police officer and Ahmad Fahim’s older brother.

Cause still under investigation

Authorities believe the car may have lost control before crossing into the path of the lorry. However, the exact cause of the accident remains under investigation.

The funerals

Five of the victims were laid to rest at Masjid Al Abidi Islamic Cemetery in Merbok at around 10am on June 8.

What safety systems does the Proton X50 have?

The Proton X50 is among the more safety-equipped vehicles in its segment. The 2024 model features six SRS airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

The 2024 X50 also features a High-Definition 360 camera, with a 3D view of surroundings appearing when operating the signal stalks to reduce blind spots during lane changes — a function active up to 150km/h.

The X50 holds a five-star Asean NCAP safety rating, the highest possible score under the regional vehicle safety assessment programme.

However, safety experts note that even the most advanced passive and active safety systems have limits in high-speed, head-on collisions.

The severity of impact in such crashes can exceed the protection thresholds that airbags and crumple zones are designed to absorb.