A teacher testifying at an inquest says Zara Qairina Mahathir shed tears when her name was called while being rushed to hospital.
KOTA KINABALU: A teacher told the Coroner’s Court that Zara Qairina Mahathir shed tears while being transported to hospital.
English teacher Nor Asima Zaiton, 49, said she accompanied the student to Queen Elizabeth Hospital after receiving a call from the head warden. “I did not know Zara Qairina personally, as I did not teach her class,” said Nor Asima, who is also a dormitory warden at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha.
She testified that she helped paramedics bandage Zara Qairina’s left hand during the ambulance journey. “When I called her name, I saw tears running down her cheeks,” Nor Asima told the court.
The witness added that Zara Qairina’s leg was still bleeding in the ambulance. She remained at the hospital until 1pm and contacted the girl’s mother upon arrival.
Nor Asima also handed over the clothes Zara Qairina had been wearing to her mother’s cousin at the hospital. The 55th witness was questioned by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Fairuz Johari during the inquest before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan.
Zara Qairina, 13, was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17. She was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory the previous day.
The inquest proceedings continue tomorrow.
