ZARA QAIRINA SHED TEARS IN AMBULANCE ON THE WAY TO HOSPITAL - TEACHER

KOTA KINABALU, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- The Coroner’s Court here today heard that Zara Qairina Mahathir shed tears twice when her name was called while she was being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

English teacher Nor Asima Zaiton, 49, of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustapha, said she rushed to the hostel after receiving a call from Head Warden Azhari Abd Sagap on the day Zara Qairina was found unconscious.

“I did not know Zara Qairina personally, as I did not teach her class. I only accompanied her to the hospital. During the journey, I helped the paramedics bandage her left hand, and when I called her name, I saw tears running down her cheeks.

“Her leg was still bleeding when she was in the ambulance. After arriving at the hospital, I contacted her mother to inform her of our arrival. I remained at the hospital until 1 pm,” said Nor Asima, who is also the school's dormitory warden.

The 55th witness was testifying when questioned by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Fairuz Johari, who is also the conducting officer, during the inquest into Zara Qairina’s death before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan.

The witness added that she also handed over the clothes Zara Qairina had been wearing to her mother’s cousin while she was at the hospital.

Zara Qairina, 13, was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, a day after she was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory.

The inquest proceedings continue tomorrow.

--BERNAMA