{
  "id": 5217931,
  "title": "Victoria Bridge incident: Father speaks on losing youngest son a year after eldest daughter",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/victoria-bridge-incident-father-speaks-on-losing-youngest-son-a-year-5217931",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T01:05:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/03/victoria-bridge-incident-father-speaks-on-losing-youngest-son-a-year-after-eldest-daughter/233712"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KLUANG, Sept 3 — Less than a year after their eldest child's passing, a family from Kluang is once again mourning the loss of their youngest son following a tragic fall from Victoria Bridge in Enggor, Kuala Kangsar, Perak. The victim's father, identified only as Abd Halim, 42, recounted that their eldest daughter had died when she was 16 after a four-month battle with an undiagnosed illness. The family was still coping with that loss when Abdul Rafee, his youngest son, died three months later. \"Just last year, we lost our eldest daughter. Despite being sick and bedridden for four months, doctors couldn't diagnose her illness,\" Abd Halim shared with Bernama at his home. He explained that Abdul Rafee had been eagerly anticipating their family holiday during the National Day break. \"He was a cheerful boy who always brought joy to our family with his laughter,\" Abd Halim recalled. The father detailed how they had checked the Victoria Bridge's condition before their walk, but tragedy struck when Abdul Rafee stepped onto a rotten section of the bridge, causing his hand to slip from his father's grasp. The 12-year-old boy fell five meters, ultimately losing his life. Abd Halim pleaded for public understanding, emphasizing the family's commitment to their children's well-being and safety. He also called for regular maintenance and inspections at tourist attractions, particularly those involving older structures, to prevent similar incidents. Abdul Rafee was laid to rest at Kampung Baru Muslim Cemetery on Tuesday, and the Victoria Bridge was immediately closed to the public as a precautionary measure by the Kuala Kangsar Municipal Council.",
  "summary": "KLUANG, Sept 3 — Less than a year after mourning the loss of their eldest child, a family here is once again griev...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Victoria Bridge incident: Father speaks on losing youngest son a year after eldest daughter",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/victoria-bridge-incident-father-speaks-on-losing-youngest-son-a-year",
        "published": "2026-09-03T01:05:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}