18-Year-Old Lion Dance Performer Killed In A Lorry Accident On Her Birthday
The teen was off-loading equipment for a lion dance performance when a lorry crashed into her and two others.
A young lion dance troupe member died in an accident when she was in the midst of preparing for a performance
According to Sin Chew Daily, a lorry that went out of control crashed into another lorry that was carrying a 14-member lion dance troupe.
18-year-old Choo Heng Poh and two other members were said to be off-loading equipment for a performance when the lorry rammed into them.
The accident happened on 8 February in Sungai Buloh, near a shopping mall where the troupe was scheduled to perform.
All three were quickly rushed to the hospital but Choo died of her injuries an hour after admission
The other two male victims, ages 17 and 19, survived the accident and are currently being treated in a hospital.
Choo, who lost her father two years ago, leaves behind her mother and an older sister. She was scheduled to celebrate her 18th birthday later that night after the performance.
It has been reported that the driver who caused the accident tried to flee the scene but was caught by a few members of the troupe
Sin Chew Daily also reported that the driver was speeding when it crashed into the lorry.
The 70-year-old driver and his attendant were at the hospital and went on their knees to beg for forgiveness from the troupe and Choo's family.
According to the troupe leader, Choo - who joined the group when she was 14 - had always loved lion dancing
"We were grooming her to be the next star in the troupe. She was a really talented individual," he said as quoted by Sin Chew Daily.