Rescue police will now fly through traffic

Dubai: Police have come up with a novel way to beat traffic jams and gain extra seconds, critical in saving people trapped in cars.

Dubai Police's rescue helicopters will carry hydraulic cutting equipment to attend to serious accidents involving trapped passengers. Transporting rescue teams by helicopter will ensure quick intervention and attendance at serious accidents.

Dubai Police's General Operations Department has introduced hydraulic cutting equipment to be carried in helicopters as a new service to respond and intervene quickly.

Colonel Pilot Anas Al Matroushi, Deputy Director of Dubai Police's Operations Department for Transportation and Rescue Affairs, said Dubai Police always seek to update and develop the services they provide to the public, especially those involving rescue.

He said adding the quick response service in helicopters came as a result of increasing number of serious accidents on the city's roads.

"Traffic jams on city roads also make us use air route to arrive to the accident scenes as fast as possible and contribute to saving lives," he said.

He said the helicopter service is the first of its kind in the region.

"The hydraulic equipment used in cutting cars is light in weight, can be carried on the shoulder and does not endanger the helicopter in any way," Colonel Pilot Al Matroushi said.