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Dubai: 34-week pregnant woman in ICU after hit-and-run
'I was spitting blood on the street,' the woman told Khaleej Times via text message from her hospital bed
- PUBLISHED: Mon 12 Jan 2026, 6:00 AM UPDATED: Mon 12 Jan 2026, 4:32 PM
- By:
- Mazhar Farooqui
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A 34-week pregnant Indian media professional is fighting to recover from life-threatening injuries after being hit by a car that fled the scene late Wednesday night (January 7) in Arjan, even as doctors managed to save her unborn child, according to her husband.
Aastha Kanwar, 30, remains in intensive care.
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The incident occurred around 11.30pm as Aastha and her husband, Ojasvi Gautam, were out for a walk near their home, close to Central Park in Arjan, Dubailand. The couple said a car entered a one-way street from the wrong side, reversed abruptly, and ploughed into them before speeding away.
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“I was spitting blood on the street,” Aastha told Khaleej Times via text message from her hospital bed. “My jaw is impacted; I am barely able to speak.”
As per medical reports seen by Khaleej Times, she sustained trauma to the right side of her skull, serious hip injuries, damage to internal organs that required the removal of part of her liver and spleen, wounds to both knees, a fractured left elbow, a dislocated left shoulder, abdominal injuries that required stitching, and damage to her teeth and jaw.
“I feel so vulnerable with this child in me, and someone did this,” Aastha said, adding that she hopes the offender is brought to justice.
Aastha’s message, which she shared earlier on a UAE media support and PR WhatsApp group, drew an outpouring of concern and wishes for her speedy recovery from fellow journalists and communications professionals.
Recounting the incident, Ojasvi told Khaleej Times that he was struck on his left side when the car reversed, while his wife bore the brunt of the impact.
“I saw her being hurled several metres into the air,” he said. “I thought she was dead, and my unborn child too.”
Ojasvi said the incident happened very quickly and that he could not recall the registration number of the vehicle, adding that it appeared to be a sedan.
He added that police and ambulance crews arrived within minutes and began emergency treatment at the scene. “It’s nothing short of a miracle that they both survived,” he said.
The family said a police complaint has been filed and that Dubai Police are investigating the case and working to trace the hit-and-run driver. A comment from local authorities was awaited at the time of publication.
“I hope he’s caught,” Ojasvi said.
Doctors at NMC Royal Hospital DIP said the woman underwent a complex, high-risk emergency surgery given the extent of her injuries and her advanced stage of pregnancy. It added that the surgery was particularly challenging as doctors had to stabilise multiple internal injuries while ensuring the safety of the 34-week unborn child, an outcome they described as “remarkable” given the circumstances.
Under UAE law, leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offence and can result in imprisonment, fines and suspension of a driving licence. Last year, Dubai authorities ordered the arrest of a driver accused of fleeing the scene after causing serious injury in a hit-and-run incident. According to Dubai Traffic Prosecution, the driver failed to stop or provide assistance to the victim.
[Khaleej Times is identifying the family members by name with their consent.]
Mazhar Farooqui, or Maz, is a multiple award-winning investigative journalist and Senior Editor at Khaleej Times. Renowned for exposing corruption and uncovering major scams, he is also the author of The Maz Files: Scoops, Scams & Showdowns.
