Pregnant woman, child die in Dubai car crash

A young Indian man is heartbroken after losing his pregnant wife and three-year-old daughter following a car crash in Dubai.
The family of Rijad, who runs a mobile phone business in Dubai and Umm Al Quwain, was returning from Sharjah to their home in Al Aweer when the accident took place early morning on Sunday, relatives told Khaleej Times.
According to the Dubai Police, the accident took place on Emirates Road after the exit leading to Maleeha around 1am on Sunday.
Rijad, 30, was driving the car. His wife Shaniba, 26, who was six months pregnant, and their first child, Shaiza Irin, were in the rear seat.
A relative said the victims had spent a lovely family time together with Shaniba's sister's family in Sharjah and her mother, who is on a visit here, just before the tragedy.
"We (the families of both the sisters and their mother) had met for dinner and shopping," said Shaniba's brother-in-law. "All of us dined and shopped together before they
Road deaths of pregnant wife, daughter leaves husband devastated left from Sharjah."
Their car was hit by another car that changed lanes abruptly, the police said. An Emirati woman and her two children - aged 11 and 13 years - were in the other car.
Rijad's car's rear was crushed due to the impact of the crash, and the mother and child were jammed inside. "The impact was so severe that Rijad, who was driving, also got injured," he said.
The police had to use hydraulic cutters to rescue the pregnant woman and child. The severely injured victims were rushed to the Rashid Hospital. Shaniba breathed her last at 4am, said Rijad's first cousin.
"We were hopeful that the little girl would survive after she underwent a surgery. Unfortunately, we lost her also by Sunday evening."
The cousin said friends and relatives, who poured in from different emirates after hearing the tragic news, were at the funeral of Shaniba in Al Quoz graveyard when they heard about the child's death.
The body of Shaiza was buried in the same graveyard on Monday evening.
Rijad also went under the knife for his injured right hand. Doctors expect to discharge him for further treatment in India in a couple of days.
"He is devastated. He has not been able to come to terms with it. They were a happy family and the daughter was a very lovely child," said Rijad's cousin.
"He was not ready to face anyone when we took him to show the bodies. He also doesn't want to stay with his family or relatives in his hometown when he goes back," he added.
Shaniba's mother, sister and family were scheduled to fly back to their hometown in Kerala on Tuesday night, according to her brother-in-law.
The police said the driver of the other car is also undergoing treatment for the injuries she sustained in the accident. Her condition was said to be stable.
Dubai chief traffic prosecutor, Salah bu Faroosha, said prima facie reports indicate that the accident was caused due to speeding and failure to leave enough space between vehicles.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com