Tampines crash victims buried at Choa Chu Kang Muslim Cemetery, one grave apart from each other
Family, relatives and friends doing a prayer at the funeral of Afifah Munirah Muhammad Azril, in Pasir Ris, on April 23.
SINGAPORE - Barely two weeks after celebrating Hari Raya Puasa, two families had to arrange for their loved ones to be buried at Choa Chu Kang Muslim Cemetery on April 23.
And their graves were just one plot apart from each other.
Madam Norzihan Juwahib, 57, and Afifah Munirah Muhammad Azril, 17, were killed in a
six-vehicle crash in Tampines on April 22. Six others were taken to hospital.
Madam Norzihan’s family had just celebrated Hari Raya at her new flat in Sengkang a day before the accident, her niece told The Straits Times at the cemetery.
Wanting to be known only as Ms Atiqa, 26, she said Madam Norzihan lived alone and had moved into her flat less than four months ago.
She said: “Our family was devastated when we heard the news. That was her first and last Raya (at her new place).”
Madam Norzihan was buried at 4pm, surrounded by about 50 loved ones. Her 79-year-old mother was present.
Madam Norzihan was described by family members as a joyful and caring person who showered her mother and eight siblings with love. She treated them often to meals and accompanied her mother to medical appointments.
Her brother, Mr Mohd Sani, 48, said the family has come to terms with the loss.
The casket of the the late Madam Norzihan Juwahib during the funeral at Choa Chu Kang Muslim Cemetery on April 23.
He said: “This is all (in) God’s hands. I don’t want to blame people. This one is written by God already, we accept that. My mother also accepts the tragedy.”
Madam Norzihan had been a passenger in a van belonging to pest control firm First Choice Pest Specialist when the accident occurred. She was a senior technician who had been working there for about 10 years.
The firm’s business development manager, who wanted to be known only as Mr Joedzuanir, 49, said the company has lost more than a hardworking colleague.
He said: “We lost not only a friend, a sister, but also a teacher.”
He said Madam Norzihan liked to help her colleagues and often offered advice to newcomers.
Mr Joedzuanir said he was driving to work when he received photos of the accident from colleagues and heard she had died.
He said Madam Norzihan was also on her way to work when the accident occurred. He was some distance away and had to pass the site.
Mr Joedzuanir said she often joined him on holidays with his wife and children. And they had planned to travel to Batam and Malaysia next week.
He added: “Everybody (is) in shock, we just can’t believe she’s gone. We are also angry at the person who did this and cost not only my colleague’s life, but also the life of the student who died. It’s a big loss.”
Afifah, the other victim of the crash, was a Temasek Junior College student and was buried at about 6.15pm. More than 100 people were present.
Family, relatives and friends at the funeral of Temasek Junior College student Afifah Munirah Muhammad Azril at a multipurpose hall in Pasir Ris.
Her father, Mr Muhammad Azril, is a Police Coast Guard officer who was driving her to her school event in a car when the crash happened. He suffered kidney- and spine-related injuries. Their car had turned turtle with its doors flung open.
At around 2.30pm, more than 250 people were at her flat in Pasir Ris to receive her body from Singapore General Hospital.
Those present included her father’s colleagues and most of the technical staff of the Lion City Sailors academy, where Afifah’s uncle coaches at.
At the cemetery, a group of teenage girls were crying and hugging each other. Other mourners also laid white chrysanthemums on her grave.
Attendees at the funeral of the late Afifah Munirah Muhammad Azril at Choa Chu Kang Muslim Cemetery on April 23.
Shell technician Muhammad Rosman Abdul Razak, 45, was at Afifah’s Pasir Ris flat.
He was driving his daughter to school when he chanced upon the accident.
Having been trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), he rushed over to help the injured. He said Afifah’s father was semi-conscious.
Mr Rosman said: “He kept asking me to look for his daughter. He said, ‘my daughter, my daughter, she’s at the back.’”
He said Afifah’s father kept calling for her even as he was being pulled out from beneath his car.
When they finally found the girl, there was little that could be done, said Mr Rosman.
Turning emotional, he said: “I kept talking to her, but she didn’t respond. I felt very helpless because I am trained in CPR, but I couldn’t do anything.”