PETALING JAYA: Both of the children who survived the tragic crash involving five vehicles at KM204 of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) in Melaka have had to undergo surgery.
Melaka state health, human resources and unity committee chairman Ngwe Hee Sem, who visited several victims warded at the Melaka General Hospital on Wednesday (Dec 25), said the surgical procedure on Nur Sofea Humaira Khairul Ikhwan (4) was successful this morning.
"The little girl had a fracture in her thigh bone. She was in good spirits when I visited," he said when contacted on Wednesday.
As for her elder brother, Muhammad Uwais Al-Qarni (7), Ngwe said that the boy was still being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
"The boy sustained severe injuries to his right thigh. His surgery is scheduled for this afternoon."
He noted that the trailer driver was also warded in the ICU and was awaiting surgery once his condition stabilised.
"The hospital is monitoring his progress," he said.
As of Wednesday, Ngwe said only three crash survivors remain under treatment at the Melaka General Hospital.
"All the injured Singaporean bus passengers treated at Melaka General Hospital and a private hospital have been discharged.
"The family of the deceased Singaporean passenger is in the process of claiming the remains from the hospital.
"They have also expressed thanks to our hospitals, staff and authorities for the swift action and assistance since the incident," he said.
Ngwe, who is also the Machap Jaya assemblyman, advised all lorry and truck operators to ensure scheduled maintenance and periodic inspections of their vehicles.
"We must not focus solely on cutting costs and taking shortcuts. It's better to be safe than sorry, especially when it concerns public safety," he said.
The tragic crash on Monday night (Dec 23) claimed seven lives and injured 33 others.
It involved a tour bus carrying 27 passengers, a car, a lorry, a trailer and a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).
A family of five were killed in the crash; others included the tour bus driver and a Singaporean passenger.
