A Singaporean couple on their honeymoon in New Zealand were
killed in a traffic accident on Friday, just eight days after they
were married.
Lieutenant Mohamed Najibullah Suhaimi, 26, and Ms Raihana Mohd
Rashid, 25, were believed to have died on the spot at Mangatawhiri,
south of Auckland, after a two-vehicle crash, Singapore's Berita
Minggu newspaper said.
They were married in Singapore on June 7 and left for New
Zealand on Monday.
Lt Mohamed Najibullah was with the Singapore Armed Forces, while
Ms Raihana was a nurse at KK Women's and Children's Hospital.
New Zealand media reports said the accident on State Highway 2
in Mangatawhiri occurred at about 1.20pm along a stretch of road
known to be dangerous.
It is believed to be one of the most deadly stretches in the
country, with 30 deaths since 2001. The government recently reduced
the speed limit at one section of the highway to 90kmh from 100kmh,
said the APNZ News Service.
The car, driven by one of the Singaporeans, apparently lost
control and hit a van. The two occupants of the van were
unhurt.
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of the
incident. 'We extend our condolences to the families of the two
Singaporeans who have died,' said a ministry spokesman.
'We are in contact with their next-of-kin in Singapore and will
continue to provide all necessary assistance to them.'
The father of Ms Raihana, who met Berita Minggu at his home in
Tampines yesterday, said that the last time he spoke to his
daughter was two days ago, when he was about to leave for a trip to
Penang. She was the second child in a family of five.
'She asked me where I was. She asked me to take care of myself
and not to forget to take my medicine, and sent her regards,' said
Mr Mohd Rashid Abu Bakar, 57.
'When I arrived in Penang, I received the news that she was
involved in a terrible accident. I felt very weak and was lost for
words,' he said.
Mr Mohamed Najibullah was the youngest of three siblings.
His mother, Madam Julaiha Ismail, 64, told Berita Minggu that
her son called on Thursday, and sounded very happy.
The couple's remains will be flown home to Singapore tomorrow,
the paper said.
ST