Three siblings die in Johor road accident after trying to attend closed schools

Three siblings aged eight, 11, and 18 died in a road accident in Pontian, Johor, on Oct. 8, after insisting on traveling to school on a motorcycle despite school closures due to the haze. The tragedy unfolded when the two younger children refused to believe classes were canceled and their elder brother drove them there to prove it.

Siblings Die After Trying to Attend Closed Schools

The victims were identified as Nordaniel Aiman Norlizan, 18, Nordaniel Fikri Norlizan, 11, and Puteri Naufa Raisha Norlizan, eight. Their mother, Julaiha Munaji, 44, and grandmother had earlier informed the younger children that all schools in Johor were closed due to the haze. However, Nordaniel Fikri and Puteri Naufa Raisha insisted on going, with one pleading to attend while wearing their school uniform and preparing their schoolwork.

After arriving and confirming the school was indeed closed, the siblings headed back home. At about 7:20 a.m., the motorcycle collided with a Hino lorry travelling in the opposite direction at Jalan Kampung Parit Haji Siraj, Kayu Ara Pasong, about 200 metres from their family home. Pontian police chief Supt Hadzrat Hussein Mion Hussain stated that the two pillion riders were pronounced dead at the scene, while the motorcycle rider died on the way to Pontian Hospital.

Family Mourns Children as State Provides Support

The children’s grandfather found them lying motionless at the scene. Their father, Norlizan Khamis, received the devastating news from his father-in-law while at work. Aunt Norimah Khamis, 40, remembered them as good, quiet children, noting that Nordaniel Fikri had just received new shoes and washed his football boots for an upcoming school competition, while Nordaniel Aiman was in the midst of applying for GiatMara.

Johor education and information committee chairman Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali said that counseling sessions were arranged for the family, and the state government provided financial aid and funeral assistance. The three children were laid to rest at the Kampung Parit Haji Sirat cemetery on Oct. 8.

The state-wide school closures affected more than 1,000 schools and about 600,000 students following a deterioration in air quality.