Final memory: Yogaraja (back row, second from left) seen here with Nur Hamidah (front row, second from right) and Umi Rasyidah at the reunion dinner. Mahandran is standing second from right.
PETALING JAYA: Just last week, firefighter Yogaraja Nadaraja attended the much-anticipated reunion with two survivors of the Highland Towers tragedy.
Yesterday, the 51-year-old Fire and Rescue Department officer, who was part of that rescue operations 23 years ago, was killed in a road accident in Kinrara, Puchong, near here.
Initial reports suggested that Yogaraja, who was riding a motorcycle, skidded and crashed into a road divider at about 2am.
His son Prakash, 19, said that this was a heartbreaking time for his family.
“He was like a hero to me. But I have to accept this and take care of my family,” said a tearful Prakash at his home in Kinrara.
Prakash said his mother Monica Susan, 41, and sister Avina, 17, were struggling to accept the fact that Yogaraja was gone.
“He was more than just a father; he was a best friend to all of us,” he said.
Prakash said police called him to the accident scene at about 3am to identify his father.
He said Yogaraja was on his way to work at Jalan Klang Lama when the accident occurred.
Mahandran Muniandy, a colleague who had known Yogaraja for 28 years, described him as a courageous and determined person.
Mahandran, who had also worked together with Yogaraja during the Highland Towers tragedy, said: “He was never afraid of any challenges in our work.”
Mahandran said the last time he saw Yogaraja was at the reunion with Highland Towers tragedy survivor Nur Hamidah Nadjib, 24, and her mother Umi Rasyidah Khoiruman.
“Yogaraja and all of us were very happy to be able to meet someone we rescued 23 years ago.
“Not many of the people we have rescued have actually thanked us, so this is a kind of recognition for our work,” he added.
When contacted, Nur Hamidah’s father Nadjib Mustahar said that his family was stunned by the sad news.
“We are in shock,” he said.
The Highland Towers in Ulu Klang, Selangor, collapsed on Dec 11, 1993, killing 48 people.
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