The Coroner’s Court today heard that there were no signs of bruising or abuse on the body of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir when she arrived at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).
Dr Janefer Voo, 32, a medical officer at the Emergency and Trauma Department, testified that she received Zara at 4.38am on July 16, in an unconscious state.
“She sustained multiple injuries, including swelling and bleeding at the back of her head, a closed fracture of the left wrist, an open fracture of the left ankle, and a closed fracture of the right ankle,” Dr Voo said.
A “Trauma Alert” was activated at 4.42am, triggering immediate referral to neurosurgery, orthopaedics, surgery, and anaesthesiology teams.
“Based on my assessment, the patient was suspected to have sustained severe traumatic brain injury, fractures on both ankles and the left wrist, and possible internal bleeding due to high-impact trauma. Her very low blood pressure also suggested internal injuries,” she added.
She stressed that no bruising or indications of abuse were found on Zara’s body. Prosecutor Badiuszaman Ahmad then requested her to sign the witness statement.
Dr Voo further testified that scans revealed brain bleeding, open fractures of the left ankle and heel, closed fractures of the left arm and right leg, fractures of the L2, L3, and L4 lumbar vertebrae, and blood clots in the pelvic bone and left psoas muscle.
Dr Voo is a trainee medical officer from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), currently attached to QEH.
