Hishamuddin Ibrahim, charge d’affaires at the Malaysian Embassy, suffered minor injuries after his four-wheel drive Kia Mohave rolled on the Riyadh-Makkah highway following a tire blast near Afif approximately half-way between Riyadh and Makkah.

“A special helicopter ordered by Prince Sattam, acting governor of Riyadh, flew the diplomat and his family members to Riyadh, where he was rushed to the Security Forces Hospital,” said Lokman Alias, counselor at the Malaysian Embassy on Monday. He thanked Prince Sattam for his prompt gesture.

Lokman said the diplomat and his family members were taken to the Afif General Hospital for first aid before being flown to Riyadh.

“Thanks to Allah Hishamuddin is safe…..and we all are praying for the quick recovery of his family members,” said Lokman.

Hishamuddin suffered minor cuts and bruises on his limbs, while his wife Ida Alina Salleh has head injuries and his mother is reported to have mild spinal cord fracture.

Lokman said a tire explosion seemed to be the reason for the accident. “I don’t think that there was anything wrong in his jeep,” said the counselor.

A career diplomat, Hishamuddin joined the local Malaysian mission as minister counselor in June 2008. He has been very active in the Riyadh committee of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other forums.