Saudi Arabia: Five young men escape death after their car overturns

Abu Dhabi: Five young Saudis made a narrow escape after the car they were travelling in overturned in Shaqra, a town in central Saudi Arabia, about 190 kilometers north-west of the capital, Riyadh.

The youths escaped without any injuries after the vehicle, which was travelling at low speed, overturned at Al Thalatheen Roundabout, as asphalt slumps and accumulation of water caused the car to veer from the road, collide with the pavement, turn on its side, and then flip again on its upper roof, police said.

Traffic police attributed the cause of the accident by 75 per cent to drop in the asphalt and its meandering, while 25 per cent of the error was decided on the driver.

Mohammed Abu Bateen, father of the car’s driver, said: First, I thank God for the safety of my children and their companions. Secondly, I call on the municipal authorities to assume responsibility for the accident and its consequences for the public interest.

He added: Today my children and their companions escaped death, thanks to God, and tomorrow who will be the next victims of these roads.

He continued: I call on the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs to look into the causes of poor asphalting in Shaqraa’s squares and streets.