SUNGAI PETANI: What began as a joyful Merdeka Day outing to Sungai Sedim in Kulim, a first for Mohd Fadzil Othman, 27, and his family, sadly ended in tragedy.
Fadzil recounted how the day had been filled with happiness, especially for his mother, Omi Kalsom Man, 69, who had longed for a trip with her son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.
However, their joy ended abruptly on the return journey.
Fadzil, in an attempt to avoid hitting a monkey that darted across the road, lost control of the car, causing it to veer off course.
The 4.45pm accident claimed the lives of his mother and wife, Siti Norhaslisa Kamarudin, 26, while his daughter, Lufiya Mikayla, 2, is now fighting for her life at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Star.
Fadzil, who survived along with his 3-year-old son, Lufh Mikhael, described the incident as a sudden and devastating blow, leaving him shattered.
However, he is resigned to his fate.
"Everything seemed perfect before our trip. We didn't even plan it — it was spontaneous. My mother was so thrilled. We had a wonderful day at the river.
"But, in the blink of an eye, everything changed. I was cruising when I saw a monkey and instinctively tried to avoid it.
"The next thing I knew, the car went off the road, into a drain, and tumbled over several times," said the delivery rider when met at his home in Kampung Haji Ngah in Bedong here.
Recalling the aftermath, Fadzil said he tried to locate everyone after the crash and managed to have final prayers with his wife.
"My wife was in the passenger seat with my daughter, and my mother was in the backseat. All three were ejected from the car. I found my mother after the crash but couldn't find my wife and daughter.
"Shortly after, some people found them and handed me my daughter, who was spared but injured. Unfortunately, my wife didn't make it but I managed to pray with her before she passed.
"I believe she protected our daughter, as she was holding onto her, which may have absorbed the impact," said the youngest of eight siblings.
Fadzil said his thoughts are now focused on his daughter's condition as she lays in the intensive care unit at HSB.
"My wife was buried in her hometown at Padang Temusu at 10am and I just buried my mother near the cemetery here (Kampung Haji Ngah) at 11am. I need to file a police report on the accident before heading to take care of my daughter at HSB," he added.
Despite his world being shattered, Fadzil said he must stay strong for his two children.
"Both of my children were very close to their mother, especially my daughter... I will miss my mother's cooking, especially her 'gulai', it will be just a memory now.
"What can I do? I have to accept my fate. I need to be strong because I have two children to take care of, and they're still so young," he added.
Earlier, it was reported Fadzil's attempt to avoid hitting a monkey on the Malau-Kuala Ketil trunk road yesterday resulted in the tragic loss of his wife and mother.