Motorcyclist escorts ambulance through traffic jam, driven by guilt over friend’s father’s death

SHAH ALAM – Haunted by regret over his failure to help clear the way for an ambulance two years ago -an incident that cost his friend’s father his life - a young motorcyclist has made it his mission to never let the same tragedy happen again.

Final-year Bachelor of Visual Arts student at UCYP University, Tuan Nurhan Syafiy Tuan Nor Azham Shah, 23, won widespread praise on social media after footage of him escorting an ambulance through heavy traffic went viral recently, serving as a reminder that compassion is still very much alive in the society.

Recounting the incident that changed him, Tuan Nurhan said he had once been stuck in traffic near an ambulance but did not act, fearing he lacked the knowledge and might endanger others.

“When I got home, I received the sad news that my friend’s father, who happened to be in that ambulance, had passed away, because the vehicle was delayed by the traffic jam.

“I was filled with regret. So when it comes to matters of life and death, I am determined to help, even for strangers. I genuinely want to make things easier for people,” he told Sinar recently.

Previously, a one-minute-27-second video showing a motorcyclist escorting an ambulance from Jaya Gading all the way to Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA) in Kuantan, Pahang, went viral.

Tuan Nurhan Syafiy Tuan Nor Azham Shah, 23, won widespread praise on social media after footage of him escorting an ambulance through heavy traffic went viral recently, serving as a reminder that compassion is still very much alive in the society.

Tuan Nurhan said he was on his way back from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) in Gambang when he spotted an ambulance from Klinik Kesihatan Chini transporting a patient. Seeing the slow-moving traffic from Simpang Gambang to Batu 10 during peak hours, he decided to help clear the way.

The 45-minute escort was far from straightforward. At one point, he had to dismount his motorcycle to direct other drivers, some of whom were distracted by their phones.

“Maybe everyone just wanted to get home quickly,” he said.

The experience took an emotional toll. “While riding, I cried. I didn’t know the patient’s condition and kept thinking: what if that person inside was my own family member?

“My petrol was almost empty and I hadn’t had time to fill up. I wasn’t sure I’d make it to wherever the ambulance was headed. But I pressed on and prayed that Allah would save the patient and ease my journey.”

The ambulance’s medical officer, who wished to be known only as Dr Fadzlin, 33, said the infant on board was suffering from acute respiratory distress due to a lung infection and required maximum oxygen support.

“The nearest hospital was HTAA and even that takes at least an hour when the roads are clear. Because the patient was still unstable and breathing rapidly, we needed to get there urgently.

“This young man escorted us from before Jaya Gading all the way to HTAA’s entrance. Without him, we would have been stuck in traffic far longer, which would have had a serious impact on the baby,” Dr Fadzlin told Sinar.

Tuan Nurhan credited his upbringing for instilling his strong sense of humanity.

His mother, Rozita Mohd Gazali, 49, is a nurse, while his father, Tuan Nor Azham Shah Tuan Yusoff, 56, is a firefighter — both frontline public servants who regularly shared stories of accidents and emergencies at home.

“My mother always reminded me that no matter how busy we are, we must help those around us — especially in emergencies — because good deeds are always repaid. My father’s whole job is saving lives and that gave me the courage to act.

“When I got back to college around 6pm, I just really wanted to see my parents. I went straight home and told my mother everything, we both ended up in tears. My father seemed calm on the outside, but I could tell he was proud,” he said.

The experience also opened his eyes to a troubling pattern among road users and he used the moment to call for change.

“Please don’t be glued to your phones while driving in congested areas, even when you’re stuck in a long wait.

“I also noticed that the distraction partly stems from ambulance sirens not being loud enough, that’s why some drivers don’t realise the ambulance is there.

“The authorities should look into improving existing public facilities, especially ambulances, so that healthcare workers can carry out their duties without unnecessary obstacles.”