Student Dies After Kiosk Workers Refuse to Help

A man from Kuala Lumpur desperate attempt to save a woman from her burning car was in vain because petrol kiosk attendants refused to lend him their fire extinguishers regardless of his pleadings. The incident happened at 3.30am yesterday after an accident involving the student’s Perodua Myvi, a couple’s Toyota Vios and a lorry with two men. The accident happened on the flyover along Jalan Cheras near Jalan Loke Yew, caused the Myvi to catch fire. Teo Chai Yong who is 31 years old was the earliest to arrive on the scene, he was on the phone with the emergency hotline operator when he heard screams saying help from a woman who was in the Myvi. Sparks flew from under her car. Teo quickly drove to the nearest 24-hour petrol station hoping to find a fire entinguisher. He said that he ran up to the paying counter and he saw four fire extinguishers behind the glass door and an attendant was on the other side. He told the attendant what had happened, he wanted the fire entinguisher but he added that the attendant just stared at him and kept saying that he was not allowed to open the door after hours. In desperation, Teo offered to buy the extinguishers and even showed the attendant his identity card. Then, a second attendant showed up and told Teo to call the fire department if there was a fire. In frustration, Teo rushed back to the scene, only to see the car, with the woman still inside, on fire. He added that she was screaming but he could not do anything, he just stood there and hear her screams fading and fading. BH Petrol's managing director Tan Kim Thiam expressed regret over the incident, he added that robberies were common in those hours so his workers were concerned. The woman who was burned was believed to be 27 year old college student from Sarawak. The case is still being investigated.

My mother told me about this news when we were in the car, I could hear her voice cracking I went home and read about this news. I feel sorry for this 27 year old student. If only the attendants allowed the man to use the fire extinguishers, it would have make a difference.

(Article)