Sharjah: A Filipina schoolgirl was killed when she was run over by a car inside the school parking area on Wednesday, police said.
Police said the car was being driven by a woman who was picking up her kids from the same school.
A Grade two student in Far Eastern Private School in Sharjah, seven-and-half year old Shanilla Anita, succumbed in hospital to severe injuries.
Police said the incident occurred when Shanilla was supposed to take the school bus home from the school. The girl apparently forgot her lunch box in her classroom and she ran from her bus to the school building to fetch it.
A parent was also leaving the school in her car, with her children, when she suddenly found Shanilla in front of her car, police said.
The woman who is now in police custody in Sharjah, it is learnt, got confused and instead of pressing the brakes pressed the accelerator and ran over the girl.
Shanilla was rushed to Al Qasimi hospital with critical injuries to her internal organs and abdomen. She died after a short while even as doctors tried their best to save her life.
With eyes brimming with tears, Shanilla's mother told Gulf News that she was in her office in Dubai when she received a phone call from the school that her daughter had an accident and that her arm was badly damaged and she should go with her husband to Al Qasimi hospital.
"I never thought that I could have lost my only daughter. When I went to the hospital I was told that a car had run over her. When I reached the hospital, she had already passed away," the grieving mother said. She said her daughter would have been eight in August. "
On Thursday, my little Shanilla was supposed to be crowned Miss Far Eastern Private School. She was such a lovely and sweet girl," she said.
"I cannot imagine my life without her. She was my life. She was a very smart and beautiful girl,"she added.
Shanilla was born in Philippines and her parents, Erlani and Nelson have been residing in Dubai for the past 10 years.
The principal of the school, Nerula Shareef, confirmed that the incident happened in the school parking area.
"We were informed that Shanilla left the bus and was on the way to her classroom to pick her lunch box when a woman driving her own children home hit her. We are investigating why she was allowed to leave the bus alone at that time," Shareef said.
Your comments
I don't really think it is the woman's fault. I mean, if someone was to come suddenly in front of your car you would get confused too, right? I think the fault is of the school faculty, they should not have allowed the girl to run like this, especially at home time.
M. I. A.
Sharjah,UAE
The traffic department should assist traffic flow near school areas to prevent such incidents.
Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
This is the major drawback with automatic cars, sometimes you accelerate instead of breaking. Even if this woman doesn't get a punishment she will be guilty in her own eyes for her lifetime.
Vijay
Mumbai,India
Very sad to hear. I am surprised at why and how the driver and the helper opened the bus door or allowed the child to leave the bus unattended, or did not stop the vehicles passing by to make way for the child to cross. Also all school buses should have separate parking away from the normal car park.
Manish
Dubai,UAE
I cannot understand how a woman with her own kids can be so ignorant by driving the car blindly in a school area. Aside from this, how can a kid jump out from the bus while being properly watched? Strict investigations and penalties must be made for whoever is guilty in order to ensure that such a thing does not happen again.
Muhammad
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Firstly, my condolences to Shanilla's family. Mr Kaiser, you are perhaps not a driver or you would know that a car has mirror blind spots and small children often cannot be spotted. Have some compassion and don't be so quick to judge the driver. Responsibility lies at the feet of the school management. Children simply should not be unaccompanied in an area where cars are coming and going.
Phillie
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Why are cars allowed inside the school area? The management of the school is also responsible, for not controlling the cars inside school area.
Aazam
Dubai,UAE
What a waste of life indeed! It's what we called a tragic accident but please drivers, be careful driving, especially within the school premises.
Rex
Abu Dhabi,UAE
This is really sad news but this can happen to anyone. We should examine the situation - the woman suddenly saw the girl and got confused, she did not hit her deliberately.
Faiza
Calgary,Canada
I dont know what punishment the law would give to that woman but her licence should be suspended and should never let her drive in UAE ever again.
Kaiser
mississauga,canada
I am very much shocked at the incident. Shanilla, the lovely girl is no longer in this world. May her soul rest in peace. The school premises should be made safe and vehicle access should be restricted. The speed limit in the school premises should be limited to 20 km/hr. I shall urge the motorists to drive carefully, specially in the school and hospital areas.
B. Roy
Dubai,UAE
Very sad indeed when such a young and innocent child dies in an accident. There should be guards who watch over the kids while they are heading for the bus.
Majidah
Lund,Sweden
