Three killed, 14 injured in Sharjah accidents

Three people were killed and 14 injured in traffic accidents during the Eid and National Day holidays.

Lt Col Dr Adel Khamis Al Mamari, Director of Sharjah Police Operations Room, said the incidence of traffic accidents had increased this Eid.

The crime rate was, however, well in check.

Two Pakistani children, a 10-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy, were killed in two separate accidents, one on Al Kuwaiti Street and the other on Sheikh Zayed Street in Sharjah.

A 19-year-old UAE national also died on the spot in an accident in Al Dhaid when the car he was driving flipped over in the Al Midhani Shabia area.

Four others sustained serious injuries in traffic accidents while 10 others were slightly hurt.

Lt Col Dr Al Mamari said 80 per cent of the accidents were minor and resulted from traffic jams. "The streets in Sharjah witnessed traffic jams during the evenings of the month of Ramadan, and these increased during the holidays," he said.

Most of the accidents happened on Al Orouba and Al Zahra streets, and alongside Khalid Lagoon.

He noted police patrols faced difficulty in reaching the accident sites due to the traffic jams and the high number of accidents, which occurred despite the earlier preparations to ensure traffic and security needs during the holidays.

"The number of police patrols and staff were increased on roads, at parks and shopping malls and entertainment utilities during the holidays," he added.

The official observed the number of accidents involving pedestrians increased because of the sharp rise in foot traffic during the period.

The emergency and rescue unit meanwhile undertook 48 missions, to transfer those injured or killed in the traffic accidents, and other patients to hospitals.

Lt Col Dr Al Mamari added the heavy police presence had kept the crime rate in check, with events surfacing during the period only involving minor fights or petty thefts.

Meanwhile, police stations recorded 922 traffic accidents and 21 traffic violations that resulted in the death of one person, and injury to a number of others.

Most of these accidents were attributed to speeding. Lieutenant Juma'a bin Darwish, Director of the Dubai Police Rescue Department, explained that the department team managed during these holidays to rescue seven people.

He said speeding is one of the major causes of accidents. He called upon drivers to abide by speed limits indicated on road signs.

He asked the public to keep away from the scene of accidents. In the event of an accident, witnesses should contact the police as soon as possible, and refrain from attempting to help victims themselves.