Seriously injured Paloh ADUN now in stable condition

IPOH - The assemblyman for Paloh in Kelantan, Datuk Norzula Mat Diah who was involved in a road accident yesterday, was today reported to be in stable condition although his injuries were considered serious by the medical team at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB), here.

HRPB surgeon, Dr Basel Ebernesan said Norzula had bruises on his lungs from the impact of the car crash, besides seven broken rib bones - six on the right and one on the left.

"It's still early to predict the outcome. We have placed him (Norzula) in the High Dependency Unit ward and given painkillers so that he can rest towards faster recovery....he is not assisted by any breathing device and is breathing normally," he told reporters, here, today.

He, however, said they had to take precautionary measures and monitor the patient closely to see the development in the next few days, while the treatment was also being assisted by a physiotherapist.

Dr Basel said at the moment, the hospital had no plans to transfer Norzula to a hospital in Kelantan as the patient's condition did not permit it.

He said until now, Norzula still did not know that his wife Datin Maziah Din had died in the accident, while his 19-year-old son (Mohd Fitri) who suffered shoulder injury was reported to be in stable condition at KPJ Hospital, here.

Asked on Norzula having been transferred from KPJ Hospital to HRPB, Dr Basel said perhaps there was a need for it and could also be due to the better equipment at HRPB.

Meanwhile, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek who visited Norzula today, said he received news of the accident late last night after a meeting.

"When I came, he opened his eyes and he recognised me. I asked him to rest," said the minister who has known Norzula for over 20 years.

The accident at 6.30pm yesterday occurred at KM23 of the Cameron Highlands-Simpang Pulai Road when Norzula and his family members, coming from Gua Musang, Kelantan, were on their way to attend a relative's wedding in Kuala Lumpur.

The Nissan Murano, driven by Norzula's 22-year-old daughter, was reported to have skidded as the road was slippery due to rain and it hit a hillslope before landing in a drain. – Bernama