Teen bike rider killed in RAK head-on collision

16-year-old Emirati killed in road accident in RAK.

The Wadi Al Eim village to the south of Ras Al Khaimah city was blanketed with grief after a 16-year-old Emirati boy was killed in a road accident late on Wednesday.
What makes the situation worse is that the family of the victim, identified as S.S.H., had lost his elder brother just three years ago in the US. He was murdered.
According to police sources, the accident took place at around 9pm after the motorbike the victim was riding collided with aa SUV driven by a 20-year-old Emirati man.
Col Ahmed Saeed Al Sam Al Naqbi, acting director of the traffic and patrol department, RAK Police, on Thursday said on being alerted about the accident, traffic patrols, medics, rescue teams, and an ambulance were dispatched to the site.
"Unfortunately, the young boy succumbed to his injuries and fractures on the spot," he said, blaming the accident on the driver of the SUV, identified as A.M.A, who escaped unhurt. Investigations revealed that it was the fault of the driver of the 4WD who hit the victim headon on a two-way internal road.
"The victim was riding his bike in his lane on the two-way road when the 4WD coming from the opposite direction decided to suddenly change his direction leading to a head-on collision with the bike," he said.
The tragic accident has left the family of the victim in an utter shock, according to their relatives and neighbours.
"The family lost the elder brother of the deceased in a murder in the United States three years ago."
A friend of the victim said that S.S.H. was enjoying his free time by riding his motorbike on an internal road.
"As far as I know he (victim) was driving properly in the correct lane when the driver of the 4WD took the wrong lane and rammed into him."
Dr Yusuf Al Tair, manager of the Saqr Hospital, said the boy was declared dead before being shifted to the hospital.
"The relatives of the deceased collected his body from the hospital's morgue and buried him in the morning."
"Unlicenced motorbikes and quadbikes, driven by mostly youngsters, pose a grave risk not only to their lives but also to those of other road users," said Ali Salem, a resident of Azan area.
Reiterating the same, Adnan Qasim, a resident of Azan city, said many youngsters were killed and seriously injured in road accidents over the last few years. "Parents should keep an eye on their kids, particularly as many of them enjoy their holidays riding these motorbikes recklessly."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah