One USM student dies, seven injured in Acheh bus crash

GEORGE TOWN: A Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) final-year student was killed and seven others were injured in an accident in Aceh, Indonesia.
In the 7pm (8pm Malaysian time) incident, Muhamad Izzamir Nabihan Abdul Majid, 23, and others were returning from a visit to a coal mine in Geumpang when the accident happened.
Muhamad Izzamir who suffered serious injuries was rushed to the Geumpang Community Health Centre but succumbed to his injuries there.
The evening accident also left seven injured in the 25 member delegation from the university who have been there since Sunday on a study trip.
USM vice chancellor Professor Datuk Omar Osman expressed his condolences over the death of the mineral resources engineering undergraduate who is from Penang.
He said the cause of death has yet to be ascertained while USM was in touch with their counterparts there.
He added Izzamir was an active rugby player and described the death as a great loss for the institution.
"We express our sincere condolences to the family," he said in a press conference today.
The body of Izzamir is expected to arrive at the Penang International Airport at about 10am tomorrow.
He is expected to be buried at the Jamiul al Badawi Mosque cemetery in Kepala Batas.
When met at KEPALA BATAS, Fouziah Omar, 59, aunt to Izzamir, said the family was at a loss on how to convey the news to the father, Abd Majid Abd Gaffor, 55, who is in critical condition at the National Heart Institute after a heart attack.
She said doctors had advised them not to tell Abd Majid, who is a bodyguard to Dewan Negara Speaker Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang, due to his weak condition.
"We have to act like nothing happened but will have to find an opportunity to tell him," she said.
Fouziah lamented the loss of her nephew, the second of five children, saying he was a smart student and a good son.
"He used the monies from his study loan to pay for his family expenses," she added while mother Suriati Omar, 45, declined to be interviewed.
Pinang Tunggal assemblyman Datuk Roslan Saidin meanwhile expressed his and Kepala Batas MP Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican's condolences to the family.
"We will assist them in this difficult time," he said.