'I cannot accept it': M'sian teen, 18, killed in freak lamp post accident was due to start poly soon

An 18-year-old Malaysian teen who died after a lamp post crashed onto the van he was travelling in had reportedly been preparing to begin polytechnic studies next month.

Mothership previously reported that Wah Han Keong was killed in a freak accident in Terengganu after a car allegedly lost control and struck a lamp post, causing it to collapse onto the van he was in with his father.

According to China Press, authorities are investigating the crash under Malaysia’s Road Transport Act following the fatal incident.

Father says he watched lamp post crash into van

Speaking to reporters at a funeral parlour, Wah's father, Wah Sai Chun, recalled the moments before the crash, according to China Press.

The 49-year-old said he and his son had been on their way to work in Kuala Terengganu when a car from the opposite direction suddenly came towards them.

He said that he tried his best to avoid it, but was still hit by the car.

“I watched as a lamp post crashed onto the vehicle and struck my son sitting next to me. Everything happened so fast that there was no time to react.”

According to China Press, the father said he repeatedly called out to his son after the crash but received no response.

The father said he found it difficult to accept losing his son so suddenly and has since lodged a police report in hopes of pursuing legal action, per China Press.

Police say another car allegedly lost control

According to Kuala Terengganu police chief Assistant Commissioner Azri, the Nissan Vanette driven by the victim's father had been travelling towards Kuala Terengganu town when a Volkswagen Golf GTI from the opposite direction allegedly lost control.

Azri said the Volkswagen allegedly first struck a lamp post on the road divider before veering into the opposite lane and colliding with the van.

He said:

“The impact caused the lamp post to collapse onto the van and strike the victim seated in the passenger seat.”

Police are continuing investigations into the incident.

Had hoped to study car repair at polytechnic

According to Sin Chew Daily, Wah had graduated from secondary school last year and was due to enrol at Dungun Polytechnic in June.

While waiting to begin his studies, he had been working as his father's assistant since January, helping out with electrical wiring jobs.

His father described him as a well-behaved and thoughtful son who cared deeply for his younger sister and rarely gave the family reason to worry.

He said:

“He was interested in car repair.”

The father added:

“We had already prepared the necessary supplies for his studies, but we never expected that a car accident would take him away.”