THE coroner’s inquest into the death of firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim continued into its second day today with a visit to the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya, Selangor.

Coroner Rofiah Mohamad led the site visit as part of efforts to determine the cause of the 24-year-old’s death from injuries sustained during riots at the temple in November last year.

After being warded at Subang Jaya Medical Centre and later at the National Heart Insititute, Adib died of his injuries on December 17. 

Earlier, the inquest visited the area where the fire truck, Emergency Medical Rescue Services van and a car were allegedly burnt during the 1am incident on November 27.

Yesterday, Subang Jaya traffic police chief Mohd Nasir Rahman testified that he did not see any firemen being beaten by the mobs at the temple on the night of the riots.

He estimated there were 3,500 to 5,000 people, believed to be Indians, who had gathered in front of the temple. 

“I saw the truck being attacked, but I didn’t see any firemen being beaten up.

“I also did not see any firefighters exiting the truck and Emergency Medical Rescue Services vehicle.”

The third witness, firefighter Elliza Mohd Noor, who drove the fire truck, said he heard a knock when he reversed while trying to escape a mob during the riots, but did not know what he had hit. 

He said that when his team arrived at the scene, they were confronted by a mob gathered around a burning car.

“They started throwing stones and attacking the fire truck and the emergency medical rescue services vehicle. I got scared and started to reverse the truck.

“It was then I heard a noise like a knock but didn’t feel anything.”

The Malaysian Insight brings you live updates of proceedings. – February 12, 2019.

5.05pm: DPP asks Shahril why did he make that assumption.

Shahril says if the mob attacked the truck then there is a possibility that they would attack the van. 

The inquest ends and will continue tomorrow.

4.45pm: DPP asks Shahril about the police report that supervisor Badrul Hisham lodged based on his explanation on what had transpired during the riot. 

The DPP says the report stated that Adib couldn’t make it into the van and that he was beaten up rioters. 

DPP asks Shahril explain the report. 

Shahril says he assumed if the rioters had wanted to open his van door and hurt him,  they would have done the same to Adib.

“It is not possible that this wouldn’t have happened to Adib (rioters hurting him).”

4.15pm: DPP asks Shahril whether during the 50 seconds he took to make the turn he saw what was happening on Adib’s side of the vehicle. 

Shahril says he didn’t notice. 

“I was stunned and in a state of shock. And then I immediately sped off to the police station.”

Shahril says that he got down to check the the van and saw a red and grey helmet, and that the left sliding door was missing and a tyre had burst. 

“I then saw fireman Hazim getting down from the van. Then I asked him where is Adib and he said he doesn’t know. 

“Hazim face was pale and he was still in shock.” 

3.45pm: Shahril says he noticed that Adib was gone when he made a turn and was beside the truck.

“After I made the turn, I turned to the left and saw that Adib was not in the van.”

DPP asks if Adib was in the van before he made the turn . 

Shahril says Adib was in the van. 

“He was still in the van. But when they started charging towards the van I didn’t look towards him. 

“I was concentrating more on my side. It all happened within 50 seconds.”

3.30pm: DPP asks if Shahril noticed what was happening on the left, where Adib was.

Shahril says he didn’t notice because the situation was chaos. 

DPP asks when the commotion happened was Adib still in the van.

Shahril says he didn’t notice because the situation was chaos. 

DPP asks Shahril what did he notice and what was he doing. 

Shahril says he was focused on his side because some people were trying to open the door. 

“The whole time I was more focused to the right side of the vehicle.” 

3.15pm: DPP asks what was the condition of Adib during the commotion.

Shahril said that he was in shock over what was happening. 

DPP asks what was happening on Adib side of the vehicle.

Shahril said there were people on both sides of the van. 

DPP asks if people in the mob were carrying anything. 

Shahril said that he didnt see them carrying anything.

“But, some had their hands behind them.” 

3.10pm: The DPP asks Shahril where the fire truck was during the commotion. 

He replies that he saw the fire truck reversing as the commotion began.

“The fire truck was 2m away. It started reversing when people started running towards the van. 

“It was then that the fire truck knocked into the (EMRS) van. It all happened within 30 seconds.”

3.05pm: The DPP asks how close were the people to the van. 

Shahril says he saw more than three people on the right of the van from the mirror. 

“They were closest to the van. They were wearing helmets.”

The DPP asks whether he could recognise the people.

Shahril says he couldn’t as it was dark. 

2.50pm: The inquest continues with firefighter Ahmad Shahril Othman, who drove the EMRS van Adib was in, taking the witness stand. 

The deputy public prosecutor asks Shahril what the situation around the EMRS van was during the riots. 

He said there was a crowd of about 50 people around the van.

“The group then started running to the van. The situation was chaos.”