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Thu, Nov 21, 2024 | Jumada al-Awwal 20, 1446 | DXB
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Dubai: Student killed in rollover accident was just 7
Initial probe suggests the accident was caused by speeding, negligence and lack of attention on the driver's part, said police
Photo: Dubai Police
The student killed in an accident on Hatta-Lahbab road on Tuesday was just 7 years old, his uncle has told Khaleej Times. Mohammed Ahnaf, a Grade 2 student at a Dubai-based Indian school was one of 12 passengers crammed into the vehicle, which swerved and crashed into an iron barrier and overturned.
His uncle described him as sweet and caring and said that the boy “was always smiling.”
“We are still not sure what happened,” said Bangladeshi national Tawheed. “The vehicle was a rented car and the children were being brought home from school. We were told the driver is in jail.”
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He said the boy’s younger brother was also in the car. “He was admitted to hospital and has been discharged today,” he said. “He is six years old. They also have a younger sister who is not old enough to go to school.”
Towheed said the family had told the younger son about his brother’s death. “He was very upset,” he said. “Since they are just 1.5 years apart, the boys were very close. He keeps saying that my brother went to “matti”, indicating that his elder brother died and is now buried.”
According to him, the children had been studying in the school for two years.
Driver's negligence
In a press release, Dubai Police said the initial investigations suggest the accident was caused by speeding, negligence and lack of attention on the driver's part. “This led to the driver losing control over the vehicle … One of the students died, while the injured students were transferred to hospital for treatment,” said Maj-Gen Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, acting commandant assistant for Operations Affairs. The police described the nature of injuries as mild to moderate.
Towheed said the family does not know the other students who were in the car. “Most of the others were Indians and we didn’t know them,” he said. “Right now, our focus is on getting my nephew’s body back to Bangladesh. Today we went about doing all the required cancellations. Some more paperwork is remaining so it might take another two days or so.”
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Nasreen Abdulla
Nasreen Abdulla is a Special Correspondent covering food, tech and human interest stories. When not challenged by deadlines, you’ll find her pulling off submissions on the jiu jitsu mats.
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