Wedding plans turn into funeral after Al Khail Road accident

Dubai: A 22-year-old Sri Lankan driver who intended to get married in December died on the spot in a horrific collision last Saturday evening on Al Khail Road.

His Indian passenger, who later succumbed to his injuries, leaves behind four children.

The accident took place on Al Khail Road in the direction towards Jebel Ali when the pickup crashed into a truck parked on the side of the road.

Emotional

In an emotional voice, Mohsin Esmail Kazi, area-in-charge supervisor for an electrical company, paid rich tribute to the driver, Fernando.

"He was an amazing person with a cheerful spirit, a hard-working and a sincere individual who was looking forward to his leave this December in anticipation of his wedding in Sri Lanka," said Kazi.

Fernando had been working under Kazi's supervision for about a year and they became good friends, he said while talking of the loss caused by the crash. "I just wish their bodies get sent to their home countries and may their souls rest in peace," he said.

According to him, Fernando started working in Dubai in the Al Quoz Industrial Area around three years ago and he was on duty when the accident happened.

As earlier reported in Gulf News, the driver succumbed to his injuries immediately at the crash site and the passenger died shortly after he was rushed to hospital following the accident which happened at 5pm, according to Salah Bu Farousha, Head of Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution.

The passenger, Gangaran, had been a labourer at the company for more than 15 years, said Kazi, adding that he was a dedicated man.

Unfortunate

"It is such an unfortunate event for his family, friends and colleagues.

"Mr Gangaran is the sole breadwinner in his family and has four children who are currently living in India," he said.

October witnessed the highest number of road fatalities, with over 18 fatal accidents taking place, said a traffic police official.

The average number of fatal accidents per month is about 13.

The most common causes of accidents involve speeding, sudden swerving of the vehicle and jumping a red signal.

A major accident which took place during October was a fatal crash which involved a minibus and left seven people dead.