JOHOR BARU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A family of five in Malaysia were on their way home when their three-year-old son was fatally hit by a flying rock.

Mr Mohd Faizal Selamat, 35, and his family were travelling by car from his hometown of Kota Tinggi on Friday (Sept 2).

His son, Afiq Qayyum, was sitting on his wife's lap in the front passenger seat while his other two older children sat in the back.

"We had just driven past Taman Saujana and were heading towards Pulada Army Camp along the Johor Baru-Kota Tinggi road at about 2pm.

"Suddenly a rock smashed through the windscreen. My wife screamed and there was blood coming from Afiq's head," he said.

The boy fell unconscious, so Mr Mohd Faizal stopped the car and tried to revive him.

Some passers-by called an ambulance.

Afiq was warded at the intensive care unit of Sultanah Aminah Hospital and died the next morning.

Mr Mohd Faizal, who lodged a police report, said he does not know what sent the rock flying into his car.

"It was too big to be thrown by someone. It is a miracle it did not also hit my wife," he said.