13 workers hurt as van crashes into date palm tree in Dubai

Police say driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree on the roadside

At least 13 workers were injured when a minibus rammed a date palm tree on Zabeel Road yesterday, Dubai Police said.

The accident was reported to the police at 5.38am.

Search and rescue patrols and ambulance arrived on the scene. Police said that the minibus driver lost control of the vehicle, which swerved from the road and hit the tree.

Eight workers sustained serious injuries while five others sustained moderate to minor injuries.

The rescue team had to use hydraulic equipment to cut open the vehicle and extricate the workers trapped inside. The injured were taken to Rashid Hospital.

Brigadier Mohammad Nasser Al Razooqi, director of Transport and Rescue Department, and Lieutenant-Colonel Ahmad Atiq Burqibah, deputy director of the Search and Rescue Department, supervised the rescue operation.

Patrols deployed

Meanwhile, police across the country have deployed hundreds of traffic patrols to ensure safety on the roads during Eid holidays.

Police have also warned motorists to avoid rash driving and abide by traffic laws for the safety of all road users.

Police have also intensified monitoring near shopping areas, mosques, squares and parks, tourist places and highways.

Courtesy: RAK Police The mangled car after falling into the Asafni valley in Ras Al Khaimah on Friday. Police said the Asian man who was driving was tired when the incident happened.

Courtesy: Dubai Police The van that rammed the tree on Zabeel Road in the early hours yesterday. Dubai Police said the driver lost control and the van swerved and crashed into the roadside tree.