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A 13-year-old student has died after she was struck by a car inside the compound of SMK Tanjong Mas in Kota Bharu, Kelantan
The fatal incident occurred at about 1.50pm on Sunday, 12 April, just outside the girls' surau, shortly after students had finished their Zohor prayers.
According to police, the students were putting on their shoes at the entrance when a car suddenly surged forward and rammed into them.
The victim died at the scene, and another student was critically injured
The victim, identified as Nur Fatimatul Hawa Mohd Azaudin, 13, was pronounced dead at the scene due to severe head injuries.
A second 13-year-old student was also hit and sustained serious internal injuries. She is currently receiving treatment in the Red Zone at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II.
Form One student Nur Fatimatul Hawa Mohd Azaudin (pictured on a mobile phone).
Image via Nik Abdullah Nik Omar/New Straits TimesPreliminary investigations indicate the crash may have been caused by unintended acceleration
Kota Bharu district police chief ACP Mohd Azmir Damiri said the driver was attempting to manoeuvre or park near the surau when she is believed to have pressed the accelerator instead of the brake.
The vehicle, a Honda SUV, then lost control, struck the students, and crashed into a concrete pillar.
"Preliminary investigations revealed that the crash happened around 1.50pm when the woman driver had mistakenly stepped on the accelerator and crashed into two schoolgirls believed to be putting on their shoes in front of the surau," he said in a statement.
The driver has been identified as a 57-year-old female teacher from the same school
She was not injured but was reportedly in a state of shock after the incident.
Earlier this morning, 13 April, she was brought to the Kota Bharu Magistrate's Court, where police applied for a remand order to facilitate investigations.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving. If convicted, she faces between five and 10 years in prison, along with a fine of up to RM50,000.
The teacher (wearing a patterned headscarf).
Image via Nik Abdullah Nik Omar/Berita HarianThe victim's father, Mohd Azaudin Abdullah, said he was at work when he received a call from his sister-in-law asking him to come to the school immediately
"I rushed there and saw my daughter lying motionless. She had been placed in the prayer hall. I was shocked to find out she had died," he told reporters at the forensic unit of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Nur Fatimatul Hawa was the third of four siblings.
Her father said all his children had been living with their aunt for the past five years following the death of their mother.
Her aunt, Zuraifah Mohd Noor, said she had been waiting outside the school to pick her up when the incident occurred.
"I found it unusual that she did not come out as she normally would. Then her older sibling ran towards me and said she was gone," she said.
Nur Fatimatul Hawa's family members gathered at the Forensic Unit of Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Image via Nik Abdullah Nik Omar/New Straits TimesNur Fatimatul Hawa was laid to rest later that night about 9pm at Tanah Perkuburan Islam Gayong
More than 200 people attended the burial, including family members, teachers, and classmates.
She was buried beside her mother.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim extended his condolences, describing the tragedy as a reminder to remain vigilant
"Deepest condolences to the family of the late Nur Fatimatul Hawa Mohd Azaudin.
"My thoughts and prayers are also with the injured victim, and I wish her a speedy recovery.
"This tragedy must serve as a lesson and a reminder to everyone to always remain vigilant and avoid negligence in every action taken."
Salam takziah buat keluarga besar Allahyarhamah Nur Fatimatul Hawa Mohd Azaudin.
— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) April 12, 2026
Doa dan ingatan juga buat mangsa yang cedera supaya diberikan kesembuhan segera.
Tragedi ini harus menjadi iktibar dan peringatan kepada semua agar sentiasa berhati-hati serta tidak cuai dalam… https://t.co/Qaip030iib
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the Ministry of Education has launched an internal investigation into the school's safety procedures
The internal investigation will review the school's compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs), Fadhlina said.
She added that the state education department is also coordinating assistance for the victim's family.
She said priority should be given to the welfare and well-being of the victim's family.
"On behalf of the MOE, I extend my condolences to her family. May they be granted strength and resilience in facing this difficult time," she said in a Facebook post.
