PASIR MAS: A 14-year-old Form 2 student died on Monday afternoon (Oct 12) after being struck by lightning while returning from a fishing trip at a paddy field near Kampung Tasek Berangan, Repek, here.
Sinar Harian reported that the victim, Muhammad Ziad Zikri Abdul Hadi, a student at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sri Kiambang, was pronounced dead at the scene before his body was sent to Pasir Mas Hospital.
It is understood that the victim was fishing in the area with two friends and his cousin at the time of the incident.
His father, Abdul Hadi Abdul Ghani, 60, said he could only cradle his youngest child upon arriving at the scene.
"I did not even have the chance to guide him in reciting his final prayers (*mengucap*) because he had already passed away," he told reporters, adding that he accepts the loss of his youngest child of five siblings.
The victim’s cousin, 12-year-old Mohd Haziq Qoyyum Rosli, said they were heading back from the paddy field toward their parked motorcycles when the tragedy occurred.
According to Mohd Haziq, the deceased was initially reluctant to leave, as he was enjoying fishing, but eventually agreed after being asked twice, as the rain began to fall heavily.
"We were almost at the motorcycle parking spot when lightning suddenly struck him while he was holding his fishing rod. My two friends and I, who were walking behind him, also collapsed from the impact. I saw smoke coming from his body," he recalled.
Mohd Haziq said he managed to get up in a daze and ran home to seek help after seeing his cousin lying motionless on the ground.
"I thought he had fainted, but when our family members arrived to help, he had already passed away," he added.
