PADAWAN: Plans to gather and celebrate Christmas at their new home in Kampung Semadang became among the family’s final memories of the late nurse Debra Moset, 40, who died in the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Ulu Baram.

Her mother, Renog Rasas, 71, said Debra had returned to the village the week before the tragedy and spent time with her family before returning to Miri for work on 3 September.

"Last week when she came home, she was very happy because she could cook and eat together, as well as spend time with her children.

"After that she told me, 'Mum, I have to return to Miri because I will be working again’.

"I told her, it's okay, just go because you have to work," she said when met at the family residence in Kampung Semadang, on Sunday.

According to Renog, Debra had also asked for her help in tidying up the new family house in the village as they were planning to gather there and celebrate Christmas together.

"She asked me to help tidy up the new house here because we will celebrate Christmas together. She also asked me to stay with the grandchildren," she said.

Renog said she had been helping to take care of Debra's children since they were young, especially when the late Debra had to work away from home.

According to her, Debra had long served in Miri after undergoing training when she was still single before continuing her career in healthcare, including with the FDS team serving communities in remote areas.

Renog said the family received news of the incident at about 4 pm on 8 September after Debra’s husband contacted them.

She said she was still struggling to come to terms with the loss of her daughter, especially after learning of the condition of the victims following the crash.

“Whenever I try to talk about it, I end up crying. I keep thinking about her children who are still studying.

“I did not dare to see her. The doctors also advised me against seeing them in that condition,” she said tearfully.

For Renog, the Christmas gathering with her daughter and grandchildren that the family had eagerly looked forward to is now an occasion they will never get to share.

The new home they had hoped to prepare for the family gathering now remains part of a mother’s final memories of a daughter who left for work but never made it home. -UKASnews