Jitra family of six found dead in submerged Proton were ‘likely attempting to escape’

KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 — A tragic discovery was made this morning when the bodies of six family members, including a baby, were found inside a sunken Proton Iswara at the bottom of Sungai Korok near Jitra, Kedah.

The vehicle was located fully submerged approximately one metre from the riverbank, in waters about six metres deep and 7.6 metres wide.

According to Kedah Zone 1 Fire and Rescue Department chief, Senior Fire Superintendent Ahmad Aminuddin Abd Rahim, all six victims — the parents and their four children — were found on the left side of the rear seat, indicating that they had likely attempted to escape the vehicle but were unsuccessful.

“They were probably trying to get out, but couldn’t make it,” he told Sinar Harian.

The victims were identified as Muhammad Azim Izat Ishak, 32; his wife, Nurul Hidayah Khadijah Razman Efendi, 31; and their children — Putra Rayyan Nur Izat, 9; Hawa Adriana, 8; Anayla Huma’ira, 7; and six-month-old Tuah Haidar.

Rescue teams managed to bring the vehicle to shore after finding it floating and partially lodged in the riverbed. Firefighters had to break the rear window and cut through the car frame to retrieve the bodies, which had swollen due to prolonged submersion.

Ahmad Aminuddin explained that the condition of the remains made it impossible to remove them through the car doors.

The family was reported missing on Saturday after failing to return home to Jerlun following a stay at a relative’s house in Taman Aman. The missing persons report was lodged by Muhammad Azim’s sister, Nur Adliah Shuhada, who said it was routine for the family to visit on Fridays and stay the night.