Adib's partner unaware how he went missing from EMRS van

Firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim's partner today told an inquest he was unaware of how the former had gone missing from their Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) van on the night the riot broke out at the Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Subang Jaya last November.

EMRS van driver Ahmad Shahril Othman, the third witness in the inquest to determine Adib's cause of death, said he was focused on a mob outside the vehicle that included at least three individuals who knocked on his window and attempted to force open his unlocked door.

"At that point, I did not notice him (Adib) anymore. I was focused (to my right) because my window was knocked and they tried to open my door.

"With one hand on the steering wheel and one hand on my door, I was facing my window with my back against Adib," Shahril told the Coroner's Court when questioned by inquest coordinating officer Hamdan Hamzah.

He described the three individuals closest to his window as wearing helmets, who he was only able to identify as "dark silhouettes."

Shahril repeatedly insisted that he was not aware of what had happened to Adib behind his back, and that he only heard loud banging sounds on the EMRS van amid other noises outside.

The EMRS van, which trailed a fire truck, arrived on site at 1.12am to put out a burning car.

Shahril told the inquest that the fire truck had reversed to escape a mob of about 50 people, knocked into his van, and forced him to turn the vehicle around.

The entire incident from the moment the fire truck reversed had occurred in less than one minute, he said.

"When my van turned towards the fire truck on its left, I saw arwah (Adib) was no longer inside, and the (EMRS van) door was closed," he said.

'I felt like I was about to die'

At that point in time, Ahmad Shahril said he felt shocked, stunned, and sped off to escape towards the closest police station in USJ8.

"It's difficult to describe. It was dark. I felt like I was about to die," said Ahmad Shahril when quizzed by Hamdan on his feelings during the exact moment he faced the mob.

Upon inspection of his vehicle after reaching the police station, Ahmad Shahril said damages sustained included broken mirrors and an exploded rear-left tyre.

"At the same time Hazim suddenly got out from the back of the EMRS and I was shocked," he said.

Hazim, whose full name is Mohd Hazim Mohd Rahimi, had previously been identified to the inquest panel as one of the firefighters deployed from the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Station and was the first to exit the vehicle before he was allegedly attacked by the crowd.

Upon closer inspection, Ahmad Shahril said he found two helmets inside the EMRS, one red and the other grey.

"I asked Hazim, 'Where is Adib?' and he said he did not know in a panicked state," said Ahmad Shahril.

The inquest before coroner Rofiah Mohamad continues tomorrow. - Mkini