By Olivia Miwil
KOTA KINABALU: A student who witnessed the late Zara Qairina Mahathir before she was taken to hospital moved out of SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha a few weeks later, the Coroner's Court heard.
The school's chief warden, Azhari Abd Sagap, told the inquest that the student — referred to as Student A — was a close friend of Zara.
Under examination by Student A's lawyer, Joan Goh, the 31-year-old witness confirmed that Student A had been present when Zara was found unconscious on July 16 at around 3am.
"On that day, I asked Student A to come after reading a message from her mother. I do not recall the exact time I contacted her, but it was before the ambulance arrived. Student A did see Zara," Azhari said before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan on the 10th day of the inquest.
Student A's mother had last messaged Azhari on July 15 at 10.54pm to inform him about her daughter's missing wallet.
Zara was discovered unconscious at the school on July 16 and was pronounced dead the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Forensic pathologist Dr Jessie Hiu, the first witness in the inquest, previously testified that Zara's injuries were consistent with a fall from height and that foul play had been ruled out.
Meanwhile, Azhari said he was unsure whether Student A had requested a transfer because she was traumatised by the incident.
The court also heard that Student A's mother had applied for her daughter's medical leave between July 28 and Aug 4, and again between Aug 8 and. On Aug 11, she informed Azhari that she would come to the school to collect her daughter's belongings.
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