These were the words a shattered Sharudin Aziz, 51, said as he fought back tears following the loss of his wife and two sons in a tragic accident. - NSTP/ADIE ZULKIFLI
These were the words a shattered Sharudin Aziz, 51, said as he fought back tears following the loss of his wife and two sons in a tragic accident. - NSTP/ADIE ZULKIFLI

KULIM: "My sons died in their mother's arms. I have lost all three of them."

These were the words a shattered Sharudin Aziz, 51, said as he fought back tears following the loss of his wife and two sons in a tragic accident.

Despite all his attempt at self-control, Sharudin eventually broke down in tears but immediately composed himself to console his eldest son Mohd Ziyad Hadif, 10.

"We have done processing the two children. Now we are working on the mother," said a mortuary staff at the Kulim Hospital mortuary as he emerged around noon to gently inform the grieving father.

Sharudin was seen hugging Hadif even tighter, as he nodded upon being informed to get ready at the back entrance of the Forensic Unit to receive the bodies.

In the 6.50pm incident yesterday, his wife Mashitoh Ibrahim, 37, lost control of her Proton Persona at a bridge near Kampung Pantai Cicar in Kuala Ketil, sending the car plunging into Sungai Muda.

The religious studies teacher at SK Selarong was travelling home with her two sons Mohd Ziyad Zikri Sharudin, seven, and Mohd Ziyad Haziq, five, after attending the school's Parent-Teachers Association's annual general meeting.

Sharudin said he was away in Sungai Petani when he received a call from his cousin.

"My cousin asked me for the registration number of my car as the public found its front plate number at the crash site.

The bodies were released to the family at about 2.15pm and were taken to Mashitoh’s hometown in Kampung Lengkuas in Bukit Pinang, Pokok Sena. - NSTP/ADIE ZULKIFLI
The bodies were released to the family at about 2.15pm and were taken to Mashitoh’s hometown in Kampung Lengkuas in Bukit Pinang, Pokok Sena. - NSTP/ADIE ZULKIFLI

"My world crumbled upon being told that the car had plunged into the river," said Sharudin, who walks with the aid of a crutch after being involved in a motorcycle accident in Kuala Ketil two years ago.

He sustained serious multiple injuries and was in a coma for 26 days.

Sharudin was hospitalised for three months and bedridden for almost another nine months, leaving him with a permanent disability.

"My wife was there by my side throughout the painful period. But now she is gone forever, together with my sons," he said.

Sharudin was among family members who waited anxiously at the riverside as rescuers scoured the water to locate the car.

State Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Syufa'at Kamaron said the car was found by divers on the riverbed, at a depth of about 7.6 metres, at around 1.41am earlier today.

He said a crane was engaged to fish out the car from the river at about 3.30am.

According to Sharudin, it was a heartbreaking scene as the boys' bodies were found in their mother's arms on the rear passenger seat.

"It was a devastating sight. It is a huge blow for both Hadif and I. I accept it as God's will," said Sharudin.

The bodies were released to the family at about 2.15pm and were taken to Mashitoh's hometown in Kampung Lengkuas in Bukit Pinang, Pokok Sena.

Also present to receive the bodies were Mashitoh's siblings and family members. She was the seventh of nine siblings.

They are expected to be laid to rest at a cemetery in Kampung Lengkuas at around 5pm after the Asar prayers today.