KOTA TINGGI: Two years ago, Athiyyah Nur Sofia Muhamad Izuddin lost her mother to an illness.
Since then, Athiyyah, now 5, had been living with her father, Muhamad Izuddin Md Yusuf, 36, and had grown close to her grandparents, Md Yusuf Mukhtar, 71, and Rosnah Salleh, 65.
Tragically, Athiyyah lost her loved ones again and was left orphaned after Izuddin, Md Yusuf, and Rosnah died in an accident at KM45 of Jalan Kota Tinggi-Mersing, near the entrance of the Arami Jaya Estate, last night.
During the accident, Athiyyah, along with her father and grandparents, was travelling from Johor Baru when their Proton Persona was involved with an accident with another car.
Yusuf and his wife, Rosnah, died on the spot, while Izuddin succumbed to severe head injuries at Mersing Hospital.
Athiyyah, who sustained head injuries and bruises, has been discharged from the hospital.
The only child in the family, Athiyyah is now under the care of her father's elder brother, Mohd Nazim Md Yusuf, 42, while arrangements are made for her future.
Nazim said Athiyyah is still unaware of what happened to her father and grandparents.
"She keeps asking where 'nenek' (grandmother) is. She said nenek promised to take her out for dinner," Nazim said when met at the Sungai Ara Felcra settlement here today.
Nazim, the eldest of six siblings, said he arrived at the scene within minutes after he was alerted to the accident.
"Athiyyah and my brother were conscious when I arrived at the scene, but both of our parents had passed away.
"I held Izuddin in my arms, guiding him to recite the syahadah before the paramedics arrived. He later fell unconscious.
"He was a devoted father who spent every weekend traveling back from Johor Baru, where he worked, to spend time with his daughter," he said.
Nazim added that they were heading towards Felda Tenggaroh for dinner when the accident occurred.
When asked on Athiyyah's future, Nazim hopes to be her legal guardian.
"I will discuss her future with my remaining siblings before a decision is made, but she will be well taken care of, that is ensured," he said.
He added that the family members will consider taking legal action against the Toyota Vios driver involved in the fatal crash.
Athiyyah's father and grandparents were laid to rest in a single grave at the Felcra Sungai Ara Muslim Cemetery today.