KUALA KEDAH: The MI17-IV helicopter which carries the remains of Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim has safely landed on the field of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kampung Tebengau here after it took off at 8.50am today.
The journey from the Fire and Rescue Department Air Base (JBPM) in Subang, Selangor took two hours and Adib’s remains were accompanied by his parents and fiancé after the post-mortem at Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
About 1,000 people thronged the field to see the funeral rites, which would involve 200 JBPM personnel who would carry the remains to the parents’ house in Kampung Tebengau Tepi Laut for final respects.
Adib was expected to be buried during Zohor prayer at As Saadah Mosque Muslim Cemetery, located about 500m from the parents’ house.
Also present were Ministry of Housing and Local Government secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Mentek, JBPM Director-General, Datuk Mohammad Hamdan Wahid and Kedah State Government Health, Rural Development, Religious Affairs and Associate Committee chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh.
Adib, 24, passed away at the National Heart Institute (IJN) at 9.41pm yesterday. His death was confirmed by Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin.
On Nov 27, Adib and other rescuers from the Subang Jaya Emergency Response System (EMRS) unit were deployed to the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Subang Jaya to put out a vehicle fire.
However, Adib was dragged out of the vehicle and set upon by a mob.
He was later rescued by members the public who rushed him to the Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) for treatment. He was later transferred to the IJN to receive further treatment.
He was subsequently placed on life support, with his condition critical.
Despite initially showing signs of recovery, his condition took a turn for the worse yesterday. IJN, in a statement, said his lung functions had deteriorated.