Heartbroken dad dies hours after teen son is killed in motorcycle accident

Tragedy struck twice for this family in rapid succession.

A Malaysian man is believed to have succumbed to a heart attack hours after his son died in a motorcycle accident in the Malaysian state of Negeri Sembilan, China Press reported on Tuesday (July 8).

The father, Lai Zhiqi (transliteration) was 43, while his son, Lai Zuoxin, (transliteration) was 16.

According to the deceased's family, the younger Lai had been riding his motorcycle alone to refuel at a petrol station less than 2km away from his home on Sunday (July 6).

But when approaching the station, he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed, reportedly dying on the spot.

His father immediately rushed to the scene upon hearing about the accident, and discovered that the son had sustained severe, fatal head injuries.

When the elder Lai returned home to inform his family, he said he was feeling unwell and eventually collapsed, Malaysian news outlet Says reported on Wednesday.

Lai's wife, known as Leah, attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while awaiting medical assistance, which arrived 30 minutes later, New Straits Times reported.

He was then sent to Port Dickson Hospital while paramedics continued performing CPR. But Lai was pronounced dead on arrival.

Lai was the 'backbone of the family': Father

Lai is survived by his wife, two daughters, aged 11 and eight, as well as his parents.

Relatives and friends of the family paid their respects at the duo's wake on Tuesday, with the younger Lai's schoolmates paying tribute to him with a song.

Lai's father, 71,  said: "My son was the backbone of the family. Now, my daughter-in-law and granddaughters have lost everything."

Sri Tanjung assemblyman Rajasekaran Gunasekaran attended the wake on Monday where he expressed his sympathies for the family. He also pledged to help them. 

khooyihang@asiaone.com

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