RANTAU PANJANG: A 9-year-old girl was confirmed dead after she was found unconscious and lying face down in her home in Kampung Gual To'Deh, which was affected by flooding, yesterday.
At the same time, family members discovered that the victim's mother had suddenly become immobile, and was believed to have suffered a stroke.
The victim's brother, Muhammad Denish Alfi Abd Talib, 14, said his sister had complained of severe pain in her neck and cried uncontrollably at around midnight on Saturday.
He said he saw his sister Nur Iezarra go to the bathroom at about 1.30am before he approached her and asked if she wanted to sleep together in the living room.
However, Muhammad Denish Alfi mentioned that his sister was seen convulsing in pain, possibly having a seizure, so he tried to help by rubbing her body and advising her to remain calm.
Their mother, Yusnieta Mohd Lawi, 40, who was also ill, woke up and read verses from the Quran to soothe the child before she seemed to fall asleep again.
"However, when I woke up on Sunday morning, I found it strange that Nur Iezarra was lying face down in front of my mother's room, and she hadn't moved until noon," he said.
Around 12.15pm, Muhammad Denish Alfi attempted to lift his sister but was shocked to find her body stiff.
He immediately went to wake their mother, thinking she was still asleep.
"I was shocked again when I found my mother unable to move, with her left arm limp as if she had suffered a stroke," he said.
Muhammad Denish Alfi then quickly informed his father, Abd Talib Abdullah, 42, who was not at home at the time, before asking for help from the villagers to contact rescue agencies to take them to the hospital.
Meanwhile, Pasir Mas district police chief Assistant Commissioner Kama Azural Mohamed confirmed receiving a report about the incident.
"Officers transported the victims, including the unconscious mother, to the Pasir Mas Hospital using a truck as the area was flooded.
"An examination of the victim's body revealed marks of bruises on the lower cheek and the right ear.
"The hospital confirmed the victim's death at 8.30pm last night," he said.