Man dies after being trapped in burning car on Dubai road
INCIDENT COMES TWO WEEKS AFTER ABU DHABI CAR FIRE CLAIMED TWO KIDS
Police still assessing surveillance camera footage to determine the cause
One person died when a car flipped over and caught fire near the Dubai Trade Centre roundabout on Shaikh Zayed Road yesterday afternoon.
The Asian driver was the only person in the vehicle and was trapped in the car when it rolled. Emergency services rushed to the scene to control the blaze, but were not able to free him in time.
The accident happened at 12.49pm after the trade centre tunnel in the direction of Karama, Dubai Police said. Dark plumes of smoke were emanating from the crash site and the incident caused heavy traffic congestion.
Brig Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Director of Traffic Department, said: “Motorists should follow speed limits, especially in tunnels and on turns, and pay more attention while driving to avoid such tragic accidents.”
Investigation
Police are still investigating the incident and are assessing footage from surveillance cameras to determine what caused the crash.
This is the second fatal car fire in just over a fortnight after two Emirati children were killed in Abu Dhabi’s Al Mina area on November 13.
The siblings were identified as Maktoum Ebrahim Al Hassouni,
who was 18 months old, and Shamayel, who was three.
Brig Gen Mohammad Suhail Al Rashidi, Director of Criminal Security at Abu Dhabi Police, said the Emirati children were left inside the 4x4 vehicle on their own, which then caught fire. Thomas Edelmann, founder of Road Safety UAE, said: “Car fires can either be caused by accidents, or through very poor vehicle maintenance. The leading cause is the engine and electrical parts not being maintained.”
He added: “In the event of a fire the only thing you should do [if possible] is get out and move as far and as quickly away from it as possible.
“Car fires are very difficult to extinguish, only if it’s contained should you attempt to fight it otherwise you shouldn’t take any risks, get away from it and warn oncoming traffic of the hazard. Don’t be a hero and don’t try to fight it yourself.”
In the event of someone still being in the vehicle, he said, “Get them out as quickly and as safely as possible if you can open the door. If you have to smash a window, do so but there is risk of broken glass, shrapnel and flames. You have to ascertain if someone can be rescued without risk of injury or death to yourself.”