Accident survivors narrate their trauma

DUBAI - They are sorry about their mistakes. And want others not to repeat those.They are victims of careless driving or violation of road rules and now admitted at the Rashid Hospital, Dubai.Jamal, a 23-year-old Emirati, is a victim of speeding and is bedridden for more than 45 days.

He was speeding at 140km/hr on a two-way road, where the maximum speed limit is 60km/hr.

Just after overtaking a truck, he found a herd of donkeys crossing the road. Jamal could not control the car which swerved and crashed into a lamppost and a cable box after hitting one of the animals. He sustained serious injuries, including a broken vertebrae and arm and he underwent two surgeries. Now Jamal is waiting for another surgery to be able to walk. More than the physical injuries the accident also had psychological impact on Jamal.

He said the road did not have signboards on the speed limit and he was surprised to see the donkeys. As he was speeding, he failed to avoid the donkeys and hit one, he said, adding that the scene of the blood on his clothes also made him panic. Jamal,who is an officer at the Dubai Customs,called on young people to be careful and avoid speeding. Jamal was one of many residents admitted at the hospital after being injured in traffic accidents and was visited by a team of officials from the General Department of Traffic of the Dubai Police as part of a campaign on safe driving.

An 11-year-old boy, Othman, was hit by a car while crossing the street in front of his home in the Karama area.

He said that he was on his way to the mosque while the accident occurred. Othman was admitted to the hospital with multiple fractures in his right arm and leg. He said that he regularly crosses the street from the same point and the street lacks pedestrian crossings. The boy said he had some narrow escapes from accidents and this time, an Asian driver hit him.

Rabee from the Eastern Region is a victim of under-aged driving. He started driving cars when he was eight and says it’s usual in the area where he resides.

Now, 14-year-old Rabee takes care of the livestock of the family and he says driving is part of his regular work. His vehicle collided with another car and his jaw and teeth were broken. Rabee suggested that though under-age driving is anatural thing in his area, parents should review their children.

Hamed was riding his motor bike with his wife at late night just for fun when he fell down and broke his arm. Another biker, Rahman, had an accident while he was having fun with his friend.

He said that he did not realise the seriousness of such joyrides as he see many youths riding the same way. Rahman suffered a broken left arm and leg.

Among all the cases, that of Al Marzouqi, a young Emirati, was the most serious one. He sustained serious fractures on his rib and neck when his car overturned at a high speed. Al Marzouqi was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit for 60 days and is still unable to talk.

Doctors said that he needs to be treated abroad and may not be able to walk on his feet again. 24-year-old Mahmood, an official with the Sharjah Customs, is in a more or less similar situation. He was rescued from a car, which was almost ruined in an accident with severe injuries.

He is in the hospital for last three months and needs to be treated abroad. Al Marz is suffering from loss of memory and many other illnesses after the accident. Mohammed Al Marz was not driving the vehicle when an accident injured him. He said the accident was caused by his friend who was talking on a mobile phone while driving. Al Marz did not fasten the seat belt though he was in the front seat.

Abdullah Saeed lost his fingers when he put his hand out of the car window while travelling. Another car hit his right hand and the skin from his thigh was placed to mend his hand. Abdullah pointed out that the incident was caused by his neglect and he would not repeat it.

news@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE