MEKUNU’S LAST VICTIM — OUR HERO

Times News Service

MUSCAT:

A young Omani died on Wednesday from injuries he received while working to rescue stranded motorists during Cyclone Mekunu, raising the death toll to seven.

Hassan Al Mahri was attempting to tow two vehicles to safety during the second day of the storm, when a tow truck’s iron hook was torn from a vehicle and struck him in the head.

He died at Sultan Qaboos Hospital on Wednesday.

Al Mahri had joined his friends in rescuing vehicles that were trapped by strong winds and heavy rains in the Wilayat of Thumrait when the incident occurred.

His cousin, Salim Al Mahri, told the Times of Oman, “He was in a coma for nine days at Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Salalah and he passed away on Wednesday. It was a very big loss for the family.”

When contacted, the Royal Oman Police spokesperson confirmed, “He passed away on Wednesday.” Saeed Al Mahri, the deceased’s elder brother, said, “Salim always wanted to serve others since he was a child. He was with a group of his friends when the incident occurred. They were trying to help a trapped vehicle in a wadi while it was raining heavily during the second day of Cyclone Mekunu. The incident occurred at 6:30 pm before Iftar.

“We shifted him to Thumrait Hospital, then to Sultan Qaboos Hospital by an ambulance soon after the incident. It was very difficult and took a long time to reach the hospital. It was very sad to see him battling for his life.”