Kota kinabalu: A medical officer from the Emergency and Trauma Department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (HQE) informed the Coroner's Court today that upon examination on July 16, no bruises or signs of abuse were found on Zara Qairina Mahathir's body.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Janefer Voo, 32, explained that the Form One student was brought in by an assistant medical officer and an ambulance team while in an unconscious state, though the cause of her injuries was unknown at that time.
"The examination results found that there were no bruises or signs of abuse on the patient's body. However, it indicated that she was suspected to have suffered severe brain injuries and internal bleeding. Due to the victim's critically low blood pressure, it was suspected that the teenager had sustained internal injuries caused by a high-impact force, which resulted in internal bleeding," said Dr. Voo, who was the third witness reading her statement on the fourth day of the inquest into the teenager's death.
She mentioned that at 4.42 am, a trauma alert was activated to enable immediate referral to the Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics, Surgery, and Anaesthesiology departments, while resuscitation efforts were underway.
When questioned by Deputy Chief Prosecutor II Datuk Badius Zaman Ahmad about the victim's survival rate upon arrival at the emergency department, Dr. Voo stated she was uncertain but noted that the initial assessment indicated the victim was in a critical condition.
Dr. Voo further explained the blood test results, which showed abnormalities such as a high white blood cell count and a medium-low potassium level, potentially caused by the body's response to trauma.
"The x-ray results found that the patient suffered a closed fracture at the end of the radius bone of the right hand, a closed fracture of the end of the tibia bone, and the ankle of the right leg. An open fracture at the end of the tibia bone, ankle, and heel of the left leg. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th lumbar vertebrae were also broken," she detailed.
Besides herself, Dr. Voo noted that several other staff, including paramedics and her superior officer, Dr. Rahim, along with other doctors from the trauma team, participated in the initial treatment.
Responding to a question from lawyer Rizwandean M Borhan, representing Zara Qairina's family, Dr. Voo said the team did not contact the police due to the victim's critical condition, as the priority was to stabilize her.
"I did not see any police officers or the victim's mother at the emergency department on the day of the incident," she added.
The inquest proceedings before Coroner Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan will resume after the lunch break.
Zara Qairina, 13, passed away at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, a day after being discovered unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory in Papar at 4 am. On August 8, the AGC ordered the exhumation of Zara Qairina's body for a post-mortem, and on August 13, the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) called for an inquest after reviewing the police investigation report.