Nine-year boy dies after road accident

A nine-year-old boy who was knocked down by a pick-up truck on Sunday died of his injuries in hospital yesterday.

Mohammed Amir was crossing Al Muntasir street on his way to the mosque for Isha prayers when the pick-up driven by a 32-year-old Pakistani hit him. People rushed out of the mosque and took him to Saqr Hospital, where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

Major Hassan Ibrahim, who heads the Accidents Section at the Traffic and Licensing Department, said his death was surprising, as initial medical reports said he was improving and was expected to leave the ICU soon. The driver was detained by police and the case will be referred to the Public Prosecution today.

Major Ibrahim said: "The department has been installing radars along the street as drivers were speeding. A large number of pedestrians also cross the street to visit the showrooms. Even if they are careful, a speeding car suddenly takes them by surprise."

He added that the Accidents and Violations sections have implemented a new strategy. The Accidents Section reports to the Violations Section sites which see an increase in road accidents and the Violations Section then installs radars there.