Two Emiratis killed in road accident in central Oman

Muscat: Two Emiratis were killed and another sustained severe injuries in a road accident in the Gabah area of Adam province in central Oman in the early hours of Monday.

The accident occurred when the driver of the four-wheel-drive lost control of the vehicle due to speeding and fatigue, an official at the Royal Oman Police told Gulf News.

The injured Emirati was hospitalised in Nizwa, 150km away from the accident spot, and is reported to be in critical condition.

The deceased were identified as Abdul Rahman Al Junaibi, 19, and Nayil Al Shamsi, 18, from Al Ain.

They were returning to the UAE after spending their holidays in Salalah, southern Oman, when the accident occurred.

Funeral prayers for the deceased were held at a mosque in Al Ain after Asr prayers on Monday and burial was conducted at a nearby cemetery.

Salalah is a popular summer destination for many of the Gulf nationals to escape the sweltering heat. It is known for its moderate temperatures and lush green landscapes.

Last April, Four Emirati women were killed in a road accident in Adam province.

The four-wheel-drive driven by Emiratis was involved in a head-on collision with a truck in Auwafyah area.

Twelve Emiratis were killed in separate road accidents in Oman in 2015, compared to 10 in 2014, according to Royal Oman Police (ROP).

In 2013, six Emiratis were killed in a road accident in Salalah province. Another seven were killed in a similar accident in Salalah in 2012.

Last March, a Dubai-bound bus was hit by a truck travelling through western Oman’s desert and a passing car later slammed into the wreckage, killing at least 18 people and injuring 16 others.

The number of accidents in 2015 stood at 6,276, compared with 6,717 in 2014. It resulted in the deaths of 675 people compared to 816 in 2014, according to police figures.

An Omani police official said that speeding and wrong overtaking are major reasons behind all road accidents in the Adam-Salalah stretch.