UAE | Traffic and Transport

Eyewitness saw girl sitting on driver's lap in burning car

A French resident living near the scene of Friday night's gruesome accident on Al Wasl Road that claimed three lives, has described heart-breaking scenes of a young girl trapped on the driver's lap in the burning vehicle.

  • By Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 18:09 May 12, 2008
  • Gulf News

Dubai: A French resident living near the scene of Friday night's gruesome accident on Al Wasl Road that claimed three lives, has described heart-breaking scenes of a young girl trapped on the driver's lap in the burning vehicle.

Jean-Marie, who has been living in the UAE for eight years, said he was having supper with a friend when they heard cars hitting the wall of the compound where he stays.

"When I approached the burning car I could see a girl on the driver's lap, probably her father. I tried to open the door but it was locked and blocked by fallen bricks," he said.

Officials said after the accident a five-year-old boy was killed. The bodies were burnt beyond recognition, making identification difficult. Jean-Marie said his friend unsuccessfully tried to extinguish the blaze with a small kitchen fire extinguisher.

"I tried to pull out the girl by the left arm through the open window, but she was trapped on the driver's lap behind the lower part of his safety belt," he said.

Jean-Marie said the heat became unbearable and he had to move away. "The three persons were not moving at all and blood was dripping from the driver's head," he recalled. "I keep seeing this horrible picture in my head."

"Every day I see mothers and fathers driving with their children standing on their laps or between front seats. What is wrong with those drivers? How much do they love their children to do such a horrible thing?" he wondered.

Salah Bu Farousha, Head of Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution, confirmed the child in the accident was on the driver's lap.

Traffic: Offences targeted

Traffic police will keep a strict eye on drivers seating children under 10 on their laps. The Deira traffic department has already begun with surprise checks.

Major Omar Ashour, director of Deira traffic department, said road users were surprised by the inspections but satisfied that roads were being made safer.

He said the campaign focuses on offences such as driving with unfit tyres and seating children under 10 on parents' laps.

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