'Until today I'm still trembling'

By Adrian David, Farah Solhi - May 27, 2021 @ 9:30am

A passenger who was on board the Rapid KL light rail transit (LRT) train that was involved in an accident on Monday night is still in trauma.

Tengku Anita Tengku Sukri, a senior manager with a reputable cosmetics firm at Suria KLCC, was flung onto the wall of the train following the impact of the collision, which happened between the KLCC and Kampung Baru LRT stations at 8.45pm.

Her husband, Hafiz Abdullah, told the New Straits Times that his wife suffered injuries on the left arm and leg, and chest, which was swollen.

"She is in great pain due to the injury sustained in her pelvic area after being swung around the train compartment. Anita has difficulty walking and needs the aid of crutches or someone to support her," said Hafiz, a retired food and beverage consultant who previously served with an international hotel.

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He said Anita sought outpatient treatment at the Gleneagles Medical Centre in Jalan Ampang here, where she had an X-ray done and a thorough medical check-up by a physician.

"She is very weak and resting at home after taking medication. She will be on medical leave for several days," said Hafiz.

The couple and their young daughter live in Taman Desa here.

Hafiz said Anita might have to return to the medical centre for a magnetic resonance imaging examination for suspected bone fractures.

Anita was among the victims initially sent to Kuala Lumpur Hospital for treatment, but the couple opted to get treatment at the private medical centre.

"There were so many patients at the accident and emergency ward. Anita was in great pain while waiting for her turn to get an X-ray and treatment. After waiting for nearly three hours, we decided to go to Gleneagles. We informed the HKL staff."

Recalling the accident, he said Anita had told him that the train remained stationary for a longer period than usual.

"The train then moved and picked up speed as it headed to the Kampung Baru LRT station. Moments later, it collided with an oncoming train.

"Passengers were jolted and thrown about in the coach. There were screams and groans all around."

Hafiz said he drove to the KLCC LRT station at Avenue K mall on the night of the incident after failing to obtain more information from the hotline.

"After nearly an hour, Anita was brought out of the station platform on a wheelchair. Some injured passengers were moved on stretchers by Civil Defence Force paramedics and firemen," Hafiz said, adding that his wife was still in shock.

A regular LRT commuter, who wanted to be known only as Nor Wahida, 22, said she was thrown against the train's window, leaving her with a bruised back and chest.

"I was seated in the last coach. I couldn't imagine how severe the impact must have been for those in the front coaches," she said.

"It happened so fast. It felt as if the train had rammed into something. It shook violently as it came to a stop. Those who were seated were either thrown against the windows or squashed against other passengers."

She said passengers who were standing took the brunt of the impact as they were flung to the floor.

After coming to their senses, some passengers tried to pry open the train doors.

"The doors wouldn't open despite more people working together in an attempt to open them."

Nor Wahida said rescuers arrived at the scene shortly after, but it felt like an eternity.

"Those who had minor injuries were told to evacuate first. Those with serious injuries were asked to sit tight and wait for medical personnel to arrive."

Being among the lightly injured, Nor Wahida joined others in walking along the dark underground tunnel to the platform.

She said the scene along the way was something she would not wish to see again.

"There was a lot of blood. We saw badly injured people being carried out on stretchers."

Nor Wahida said upon reaching the platform, she provided her details to RapidKL staff members before taking an e-hailing ride home.

"I'm not the kind of person to panic easily, but even till today, I'm trembling. I barely got any sleep. I never imagined that I would be involved in such an accident. I think it will be a while before I muster the courage to board another train."