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| Lewinkafo Lawrence, 18 (right), is still traumatised by the accident in which four of his friends were killed while three more survived with injuries. Pix by Olivia Miwil |
PITAS: The 18-year-old driver of a car which crashed here on Thursday, killing four female students and injuring four male students, is deeply traumatised by the incident and is not communicating with anyone, including his family members.
His father, Lawrence Ruminbit, 54, from Kampung Lumikog here, said his son, Lewinkafo, had stopped talking after he learned of his friends' deaths and injuries.
The nine had been en route to SMK Pitas 2, which is a 15-minute drive from their hostel.
"He is still traumatised and I have seen him crying.
"He does not eat much and stays in the same place at home," Lawrence said, adding that the youngest of his six children has yet to receive counselling, as he is too unstable emotionally.
The surviving boys, who suffered minor injuries, have also been urged to attend counselling sessions.
Lawrence and the five boys were among family members of the dead and surviving victims who were met at a district council office by Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman.
Lewinkafo was seen sitting on a chair in a foetal position and covering his head with a hooded sweatshirt during a visit by the media today.
Lawrence said his son, who has a driving licence, had been driving Lawrence’s car to shuttle his schoolmates from the hostel to school.
"Parents of those killed in the accident are being understanding. (They know) that my son did not do it on purpose.
"The site where the car crashed is an accident prone area," he added.
Earlier, during the meeting, Musa extended his condolences and provided financial contributions to the family members.
Also present were state Deputy Ministers Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan and Datuk Seri Raymond Tan; state secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman; cabinet ministers and state Education director Datuk Maimunah Suhaibul.
The Public Works department is still investigating the cause of the accident.
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