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76-year-old dies as car crashes into mountain

RAS AL KHAIMAH — A 76-year-old Emirati died on the spot and his brother suffered serious injuries after the car they were travelling in swerved from the main road and crashed into a mountain side on the Masafi-Dibba road in Ras Al Khaimah on Tuesday evening.

Captain Salem Mohammed, deputy chief of the Traffic Section at Digdag police station, said the deceased man’s brother, aged 64, lost control of the vehicle which veered from a two-way road passing through mountains and hit the mountain side.

The police transferred the injured man to the hospital in critical condition.

Captain Mohammed said the police are still investigating the cause of the accident, but said many accidents have occurred in the same area, including one four days ago in which a 41-year-old Emirati man died on the spot after his vehicle hit a stray camel crossing the road as he was going to Dibba area.

The officer urged motorists to control speed and to drive carefully, especially on roads passing through the mountains because of the poor visibility in those areas.

“Roads in the mountains are not as clear as straight roads; the heights prevent the driver from seeing the oncoming vehicles,” added the officer.

He also stressed the importance of motorists strictly following the traffic rules and regulations, including keeping in the correct lanes and overtaking only in safe areas.

He urged motorists, including truck drivers, to replace their vehicles’ old tyres with new ones in view of the summer season and always ensure that the vehicle engines and radiation systems are in good condition before they start on long journeys.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com