The city maintains its tourism growth momentum following a milestone year in 2023, hosting 17.15 million tourists
DUBAI - Aslam Basha and Sharoz Khan were sprightly boys who loved sports. Sharoz was keen on football. Tragically they now lie on hospital beds battling multiple injuries after being knocked down by a school bus on Tuesday evening.
The driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle from the parking area and drove onto the pavement before hitting the students, who where walking towards the bus near the gate.
In the emergency ward of Rashid Hospital’s trauma centre on Wednesday, grim faces gathered as news of their progress trickled in. Many friends and kin could not hold back their tears. Doctors performed emergency operations, but there was more bad news in store for the families.
Aslam’s and Sharoz’s injuries are serious with multiple fractures, according to doctors treating them. The parents prayed for their recovery, hoping for a miracle to end the agony.
“He is still in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and we are hearing about new fractures every time the doctors conduct scans. He has suffered a broken hipbone and a fractured rib, which has caused severe internal bleeding,“ said Aslam’s father Basha Thabaralam.
Aslam, a 11-year old Grade 6 student, will remain in ICU and will undergo multiple surgeries over the next couple of weeks.
Sharoz, 13, is reported to be out of danger and has been shifted to the recovery centre at the hospital.
But a badly injured foot and fractures in the thighbone and hipbone will keep him out of the ‘beautiful’ game for at least six to eight months. Before that, he will be confined to a hospital wheel-chair for six weeks.
“He is resilient and will come out of this stronger. Before going into surgery, he smiled at us and told us not to worry,” said his uncle Nouman Khan.
Police officials said the accident could have been avoided if adequate safety measures were in place.
Major General Mohammed Saif Al Zafin, Director General of Department of Traffic, said a student was on board the bus when the accident took place.
According to the official, the driver allegedly started the bus with the gear in ‘drive’ position, which caused the vehicle to lurch forward. He could not apply the brake in time to avoid hitting the two students who were standing outside the school gate
Sharozs family were planning to travel to Karachi later this week, but the accident has put their plans on hold.
“The school staff has been very supportive and they have been by our side
throughout. However, we seek justice and the driver is accountable for his careless attitude which lead to such an accident,” said Nouman.
Police said the accident took place outside the school premises on Tuesday at 4.30pm as students on the afternoon shift were boarding the bus home. Following a spate of accidents recently, Dubai Police had intensified its awareness campaigns and had deployed extra patrols near schools. Police statistics show four children died and 14 were injured in traffic accidents this year. Six children died in road accidents in 2010. - news@khaleejtimes.com
Related News:
School buses to get safer
School buses in Dubai will be banned from having windows with tints higher than 30 per cent, while curtains and window bars will also be disallowed, according to new regulations by the RTA. The new rules, which come into effect from September this year, make it mandatory for school bus operators to hire women attendants.
Probe into school bus accident begins
The Dubai Traffic Prosecution has begun its investigation into the collision between two buses that occurred on Tuesday morning on Shaikh Zayed Road. Salah Bu Farroucha Al Felasi, the Dubai Traffic Chief Prosecutor, said that 16 people including school students were injured in the minibus-school bus collision.
19 injured in school bus-minibus collision
A collision between a school bus of the Delhi Private School, Dubai, and a minibus carrying 25 employees of a company based in Jebel Ali Free Zone caused traffic chaos on Shaikh Zayed Road at 7.25am on Tuesday. As many as 19 people sustained minor to severe injuries in the accident.
The city maintains its tourism growth momentum following a milestone year in 2023, hosting 17.15 million tourists
The allocation by the Sharjah Ruler will be used to stock the library with titles from publishers at the ongoing Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival
While everything about the city may scream opulence, residents aren't just blindly spending their hard-earned money
Starting from May 6 until July 31, the newly formed committee will accept requests at the ISKAN Abu Dhabi Centre
The 61-year-old's symptoms were concerning, especially considering her highly active lifestyle, said doctors
The beachfront resort in Ras Al Khaimah's Al Marjan is being built on an island of almost 62 hectares
The multi-million dollar project is expected to be completed before the end of the year
The event will be a deep dive into the latest trends, opportunities, and challenges confronting the banking and fintech sectors