Mum still in ICU, unaware of children's death

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KUCHING: Tan Wan Chew still does not know that her three young children have died.

The 29-year-old mother, who was attacked by a swarm of hornets together with her three children and a brother last Sunday, still remains in intensive care at the Sarawak General Hospital.

Tragic loss: Family members and relatives waiting to pay their last respects at the children’s funeral at Kuching General Hospital mortuary.

She is reported to have regained consciousness, but is still unable to speak.

Chen Sze Ting, eight.

Family members have yet to inform her about the death of her children on the advice of two Buddhist monks who were brought in to pray for her on Friday night.

It was left to her husband Chen Tian Poh, a mechanic, to bid farewell to their children in a quiet funeral ceremony at the hospital mortuary.

Chen appeared composed as he bent over the coffins of his daughters Sze Ting, eight, and Sze Ying, six, and their three-year-old brother Chun Jie.

Overhead, a grey sky matched the mood of the small crowd of relatives and those who came to pay their last respects.

Chen Sze Ying, six.

The siblings, their mother and 11-year-old uncle Tan Lan Chia were stung by the swarm of hornets while taking a stroll near their home at the Sungai Moyan flats in Batu Kawa.

Sze Ying and Chun Jie died hours after they were admitted to hospital while Sze Ting died on Tuesday night.

Lan Chia has recovered and was discharged from hospital early this week.

The siblings’ uncle Chin San Ho described the three children as well-behaved and obedient.

He said Sze Ting in particular was a dutiful child and very bright for her age.

Chen Chun Jie, three.

“She would help to look after her younger brother when her parents were at work. She was a very obedient girl. Whatever you told her to do, she would listen and do,” he said at the funeral ceremony.

The children’s grandfather, who wanted to be known as Chen, said Sze Ting enjoyed going with him to the coffee shop whenever he visited them while Sze Ying was a cheerful and diligent child.

The children’s bodies were later cremated at the Nirvana Memorial Park in Bau near here.