When we can stop this snatch

[Crimes]

From The Star

Woman sprawled in blood near damaged motorbike

PENANG: A 56-year-old woman, believed to be a victim of a snatch thief or hit-and-run accident, is fighting for her life.

Khoo Poh Kim, is in a coma at the intensive care unit in Lam Wah Ee Hospital.

She was found sprawled in a pool of blood beside her badly damaged motorcycle at the Bukit Dumbar flyover here at 6.30pm on Tuesday.

It is still unclear what caused the accident but according to her nephew Kelvin Goh, passers-by found her in a semi-conscious state and clutching her handbag tightly.

He said Khoo must have held on tightly to her handbag because she did not want to lose her belongings to snatch thieves ever again after being a victim on two occasions several years ago.

"We still do not know if my aunt, who was riding the motorcycle, was hit by another motorist or if there was a third snatch theft attempt on her.

"We hope witnesses will come forward and inform the police. She is still unconscious," he said, adding that Khoo had always been cautious on the road and that she had 30 years experience riding a motorcycle.

Goh said his aunt, who was staying at Taman Jubilee in Bukit Dumbar, was on her way to buy dinner in Jelutong when the incident occurred.

"She was on her way to buy her favourite fried mee hoon for her sister and herself," he said, adding that both his aunts were unmarried.

Goh said the doctors told him that Khoo had a 50% chance of recovery.

Khoo underwent brain surgery on Tuesday night and was due for another operation within the next 24 hours.

"The doctors said that even if she survived she might be paralysed or lose her hearing because she suffered severe brain damage," he said, adding that her crash helmet was found broken.

Goh, who was sobbing when met at the hospital, said Khoo had been looking forward to her first overseas trip next month.

"She was making arrangements to visit Shanghai with a group of friends. She was so excited about it because she had never been abroad before," he said.

Goh described his aunt as a kind and hardworking person.

"Whoever caused the accident must be cruel because they sped off without helping her," he said.

Goh lodged a police report at the Patani Road police station at 3pm yesterday.