Dubai: A biker was injured along the Kalba-Fujairah route recently after losing control due to gravel from the nearby mountains — a potential danger for the biking community that uses the route frequently, Gulf News has learnt.
Indian training specialist Philip David, 35, is still at City Hospital in Dubai where he was moved last Saturday from Al Dhaid Hospital, the place he was first admitted after his fall. He has suffered a lung puncture, five broken ribs, left thigh aberration and bruises on the shoulder.
David told Gulf News, "I visit the route often. Like always, I was wearing my protective gear. Despite this, I have suffered so much. I appeal to the authorities to ensure that sand and gravel are removed from the tarmac, especially around the bends. Well laid-out barricades are needed."
Difficult to control
The biker was riding from Kalba towards Sharjah around 9am. When he approached a bend, he lost control due to the gravel and skidded, hitting the concrete road divider.
Eyewitness Bianca Gomez, a Dubai-based banking professional told Gulf News, "I watched him swerve in an attempt to avoid the gravel. Clearly, he found it difficult to control the bike. He fell, skidding for a few metres before he crashed into the concrete. Immediately, I pulled over and called for help, and accompanied him to Al Dhaid Hospital."
While at the hospital, she learnt that injured bikers are routinely admitted. "The nurse told me that the hospital attends to several bike accident cases. I also found out that the reason for most accidents is loose stones from the mountains that land on the tarmac. I hope the authorities clean the roads regularly to prevent such incidents."
Gulf News contacted Bruce Soares, a biker and member of Dubai-based biking club Desert Bandits, who was at the scene. He told Gulf News that he has administered first aid and/or called for an ambulance several times along the 12-15 kilometre mountainous stretch.
Traction
"Last two Fridays, there were a couple of accidents. Small rocks from Hajjar mountains litter the road, causing bikers to lose traction and hurt themselves. In December, a friend hurt himself at the same place that Philip fell. The biking community loves this route with its winding roads and beautiful mountains. Ideally there should be barricades to block loose stones."
