PETALING JAYA: The father of Zara Qairina Mahathir was told that if his daughter survived, she would remain in a coma for life, the Coroner’s Court heard on Monday (Sept 7).
Mahathir Mohd Hashim, 45, the 80th witness in the inquest into Zara Qairina’s death, said he was informed that the teenager was in critical condition when he arrived at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I (HQE I) on July 16, 2025.
Reading his written statement during the proceedings, Mahathir said he was in Beaufort when Zara’s mother informed him via WhatsApp that their daughter was in an emergency unit sometime between 8am and 10am that day.
“At that time, I did not know which hospital Zara was in.
“I do not remember how I found out that Zara was at HQE I, whether it was from her mother or my own assumption,” he said.
Mahathir said he rushed to the hospital after learning Zara’s whereabouts and arrived at the emergency unit between 1pm and 3pm.
He saw Zara’s mother outside the unit and asked about his daughter before obtaining permission from a nurse to see her.
“When I reached Zara’s bed, I saw two women in dark blue uniforms, who were doctors, with her.
“I do not remember their names and did not know their positions or ranks,” he said.
Mahathir said one of the doctors told him that Zara was in critical condition and would remain in a coma for life if she survived.
He was also told that she had suffered serious injuries, including bleeding in the brain, as well as injuries to her lungs and kidneys and a fractured leg.
“I saw that the pillow where Zara was lying was covered in blood. I then held her head and kissed her forehead,” he said.
Mahathir said he also noticed that the upper back of Zara’s neck felt soft and appeared to have a depression when he touched it.
Her left leg was bandaged from the thigh to the foot, he added.
He said he later approached several female teachers outside the emergency unit to ask what had happened to Zara and whether they were female wardens.
“However, they only introduced themselves as History and Malay language teachers,” he said.
Mahathir said a doctor confirmed Zara’s death at HQE I on July 17, 2025.
He said he was with the doctor at the time and was not asked whether he agreed to an autopsy.
“I stayed at HQE I from July 16 to July 17 and slept at the hospital while waiting for Zara,” he said.
Zara Qairina, a Form One student of SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha in Kinarut, Papar, died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, 2025. She had been found unconscious in a drain near her school hostel at about 4am the day before.
