SEBERANG JAYA: A car outing for four college students and best friends awaiting graduation turned into a tragedy when two of them died from carbon monoxide poisoning, and two others were left in a critical condition.
The deceased are Sharifah Fariesha Syed Fathi and Ayuni Shazwanie Shabri, while the critically injured are twins Nor Adilah Mohd Safwan and Nor Aqilah Mohd Safwan.
All are 21-years-old.
The four women were found unconscious inside a Honda Odyssey in the parking lot of a Shell petrol station in Sama Gagah, headed towards the North-South Expressway here.
They are believed to be the victims of carbon monoxide poisoning involving the cars' air conditioner system.
Seberang Prai Tengah district police chief Assistant Commissioner Shafee Abd Samad said police were alerted to the incident by a medical officer from the Seberang Jaya Hospital at about 1.40am today.
"We were initially told that one of the victims, Sharifah Fariesha, was pronounced dead at the scene, while three others were rushed to the hospital.
However, Ayuni Shazwanie died at the hospital.
"The twins, Nor Adilah and Nor Aqilah, are in critical conditions," he said.
Shafee said an investigation revealed that the victims were on their way back to Sungai Petani, Kedah after having visited Pulau Jerejak, Penang.
They had stopped for a rest at the petrol station before continuing with their journey.