Boy, 12, dies of septic shock in Kluang, heatstroke suspected

Syahrol Azmi Mohd Hekak, 42, holding up the medical records of 12-year-old Airiel Syahren (left), who died of septic shock following suspected heatstroke. Photos courtesy of Sinar Harian

PETALING JAYA: A father in Kluang thought his second child was down with fever at first, but his concern soon turned into inconsolable grief when the boy passed away, apparently of heatstroke-induced complications.

Syahrol Azmi Mohd Hekak, 42, said his second child Airiel Syahren, 12, had a high fever on Sunday (April 30) night.

He told his son to rest in his room, but said the boy grew restless at around midnight.

"I thought it was a regular fever and told him to sleep in the living room which was cooler," Syahrol Azmi told Malay language daily Sinar Harian.

"However, I soon found he was shivering and having cramps, and called the Emergency Department of Hospital Kluang.

"I was told not to give him any food or liquids until the ambulance arrived," he said on Tuesday (May 2).

Syahrol Azmi said his son became increasingly agitated while they waited for the ambulance, tossing in bed and experiencing incontinence.

"He looked like he was in great pain. We went to the hospital but I came home later and told my eldest son to stay with Airiel Syahren.

"I went back to the hospital a little later and found the doctors giving emergency treatment to my child.

"One doctor called me to his room and briefed me on his condition.

"I did not have the heart to see him in such a state... I thought it would be better for him to depart and be relieved of the pain than to be tortured like this," he said.

According to hospital records, Airiel Syahren died of secondary septic shock or meningoencephalitis.

He was buried at the Kampung Bentong Islamic burial ground after Zohor prayers on Monday (May 1).

Another of Syahrol Azmi's sons, nine-year-old Aidil Syahren, was also down with fever on Sunday but the hospital said his condition was stable.