Abu Dhabi: Death toll in Abu Dhabi – Tarif highway accident climbed to five, as one more succumbed to injuries late last night, Gulf News has learnt.
At 9.30 am on Wednesday, a truck loaded with iron bars rammed into a small roadside restaurant, killing four instantly and injuring nine others.
“Close to midnight, one of the injured died, pushing the death toll to five”, a police official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The victims were having their breakfast at Al Mansoori restaurant, located close to the Hamim Bridge, when the deadly crash occurred.
All of the dead are believed to be Pakistani nationals, he said. “The deceased are all males, aged between 30 to 40 years.”
Most, if not all, of those killed are believed to be employed as drivers.
Identities of those killed are not yet available, as officials are still collecting information.
Initial investigations show that the accident took place due to the truck driver’s inattentiveness and loss of concentration, said Colonel Hamad Adil Al Shamsi, Director of Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols. The driver lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road and rammed into the restaurant, he said.
The truck driver, an Indian, has been seriously injured, he added.
The injured were taken, by road as well as air, to Al Mafraq Hospital, Shaikh Khalifa Medical City and Zayed Military Hospital.
The truck belongs to a Sharjah-based transportation company and the driver was driving back from Qatar, said Al Shamsi.
He appealed to the owners of transportation companies to educated drivers to take ample rest if they feel fatigued.
Companies must have two drivers in a vehicle when such long distances are involved. “The second driver could take the wheels in the first one is feeling tired.”
They should also educate drivers on safe driving practices. “Drivers should take a break, if they feel they are not able to concentrate, since it is dangerous not just to themselves but to all road users”, he said.
