Form Two Student Killed by Lightning Strike

PASIR MAS: A 14-year-old Form Two student was killed after being struck by lightning while returning from a fishing trip in a paddy field near Kampung Tasek Berangan, Repek, here yesterday afternoon.

The victim, Muhammad Ziad Zikri Abdul Hadi, a student at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sri Kiambang, died at the scene before being taken to Pasir Mas Hospital.

At the time of the incident, the victim was reportedly fishing in the area with two friends and his cousin.

His father, Abdul Hadi Abdul Ghani, 60, said all he could do was cradle his son in his arms when he arrived at the scene.

“I did not have the chance to guide my son in reciting the Islamic declaration of faith because he had already passed away,” he told reporters.

Abdul Hadi said he had accepted the loss of his youngest child, the last of five siblings.

Meanwhile, the victim’s cousin, Mohd Haziq Qoyyum Rosli, 12, said he, the deceased and their two friends were walking from the paddy field towards their motorcycles to return home when the incident occurred.

He said the victim had initially been reluctant to leave because he was still enjoying fishing but eventually agreed after being asked twice as the rain grew heavier.

“We were almost at the motorcycle parking area when lightning suddenly struck him while he was carrying his fishing rod.

“The two friends and I, who were walking behind him, also collapsed when the lightning struck. I managed to see smoke rising from his body,” he said.

Mohd Haziq said he then got up in a daze and rushed home to seek help after seeing his cousin lying motionless on the ground.

“I thought he had fainted, but when other family members arrived at the scene to help him, he had already died,” he said.

SINAR HARIAN