Sepang lightning strike: “Wherever one went, the others followed"

PUTRAJAYA - "The three of them were very close. Wherever one went, the others would always be there too."

That was the heartfelt recollection of a family member of three men who died after they were believed to have been struck by lightning in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi, Sepang, near here today.

Haris Salleh Kurais, 42, said the trio shared a close bond and often spent time together, particularly when pursuing their hobbies and activities.

"Yes, they were very close. Wherever one of them went, the others would follow. For example, if one of them was working on a motorcycle, the others would join him," he told reporters when met here today.

The three victims, who died as a result of a lightning strike at about 3.30pm, were siblings Mohamad Ahzam Marusin, 16, and his elder brother Mohd Sahrif, 26, as well as their cousin Mohammad Safwan Aksan, 18.

Haris Salleh said he received a call about the incident at around 4.30pm and was shocked by the news.

"The last time I saw them was two days ago when we went to the beach. I was very close to them, and they were always afraid of me and somewhat reserved around me," he said.

On the funeral arrangements, Haris Salleh said the remains of all three victims would be brought back to their hometown in Semporna, Sabah, after the post-mortem examinations were completed.

A Bernama survey at Sultan Idris Shah Hospital in Serdang found that family members had begun gathering there from 8 pm to follow the post-mortem process for the three victims.

Earlier, Sepang district police chief ACP Norhizam Bahaman said three men were believed to have died after being struck by lightning in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi today.

He said the three men were struck by lightning and died while taking shelter under a tree in the area.

Several videos went viral showing three individuals, believed to be men, lying motionless after being struck by lightning during heavy rain today. - BERNAMA