Horrific accident on Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway near Ghantoot
By Kevin Scott, staff reporter, Mahmoud Saberi, staff reporter and Rayeesa Qhurshida, Staff Reporter
Last updated: March 11, 2008, 13:15
Ghantoot: At least six people have been killed after an horrific accident on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway near Ghantoot on Tuesday morning.
Police have said around 200 cars were involved in the crash, which happened in heavy fog, with 25 cars catching fire.
Sources at Rashid Hospital in Dubai said that 40 people were admitted to their emergency department, but 20 were discharged after being given treatment.
Around 10 people are seriously injured at Rashid Hospital.
Casualties were also taken to Al Rahba and Al Mafraq hospitals in Abu Dhabi.
Police also said that because of the bad weather helicopters were unable to begin airlifting the injured until 11.30am.
Some people at the scene claim that there was some looting of crashed cars going on.
Eyewitness Tahir S, said: “I was involved in the first crash. I could hardly see anything because of the fog. It was horrible. You could see 10m in front of your.
“After the crash I looked behind and people were yelling and screaming.”
Matt, 26, a German national said the scene was chaotic.
He added: “The accident was a combination of fog and people using their hazard lights. I only escaped with a bruise.”
Khamis I. Mohammad, deputy of traffic and patrol Abu Dhabi police said: “It was a disaster scene, everyone was speeding and after the first crash happened people just started hitting each other.
“There were six buses carrying labourers, three buses had 50 passengers each.”
He also advised people not to use their hazard lights and not to listen to the radio while driving.
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Your comments
I was on the way to Abu Dhabi with visibility dropping to 150 metres in some places. It was surprising to see come careless people people still barrelling along at 150 kmph!! The total pile-up on the other side of the road involved no less than 150 cars and buses and the place looked like an earthquake had passed.
Avikul
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 11, 2008, 12:28
From past three years I have been travelling every working days from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. This morning was a real night mare and found horrifying incidentes. Knowing very well about poor visibity, every vehicle was very fast as usual and we witness several accident on this dark tuesday morning. Nodoubt all this accidents have happended because of over speeding inspite of bad lights (lack of visibility). Finally, we appreciate that after Ghantoot, police diverted the traffic towards the forest area towards on Alian and Dubai road. In conculsion we should appeal to the Drivers that when ever there is a poor visibility, to drive slowly with head lights on, but not with Hazord lights on i.e.Dipper/flashers on), Since the vehicle coming from behind cann't recognise the change of track and more over today accidents are cuased mainly all vehicles hitting from behind each other as they are unable stop because of wet road and poor visibility.
Ramu
Abu Dhabi,UAE
By Kevin Scott, staff reporter, Mahmoud Saberi, staff reporter and Rayeesa Qhurshida, Staff Reporter
Last updated: March 11, 2008, 13:15
Ghantoot: At least six people have been killed after an horrific accident on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway near Ghantoot on Tuesday morning.
Police have said around 200 cars were involved in the crash, which happened in heavy fog, with 25 cars catching fire.
Sources at Rashid Hospital in Dubai said that 40 people were admitted to their emergency department, but 20 were discharged after being given treatment.
Around 10 people are seriously injured at Rashid Hospital.
Casualties were also taken to Al Rahba and Al Mafraq hospitals in Abu Dhabi.
Police also said that because of the bad weather helicopters were unable to begin airlifting the injured until 11.30am.
Some people at the scene claim that there was some looting of crashed cars going on.
Eyewitness Tahir S, said: “I was involved in the first crash. I could hardly see anything because of the fog. It was horrible. You could see 10m in front of your.
“After the crash I looked behind and people were yelling and screaming.”
Matt, 26, a German national said the scene was chaotic.
He added: “The accident was a combination of fog and people using their hazard lights. I only escaped with a bruise.”
Khamis I. Mohammad, deputy of traffic and patrol Abu Dhabi police said: “It was a disaster scene, everyone was speeding and after the first crash happened people just started hitting each other.
“There were six buses carrying labourers, three buses had 50 passengers each.”
He also advised people not to use their hazard lights and not to listen to the radio while driving.
------------------
Your comments
I was on the way to Abu Dhabi with visibility dropping to 150 metres in some places. It was surprising to see come careless people people still barrelling along at 150 kmph!! The total pile-up on the other side of the road involved no less than 150 cars and buses and the place looked like an earthquake had passed.
Avikul
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 11, 2008, 12:28
From past three years I have been travelling every working days from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. This morning was a real night mare and found horrifying incidentes. Knowing very well about poor visibity, every vehicle was very fast as usual and we witness several accident on this dark tuesday morning. Nodoubt all this accidents have happended because of over speeding inspite of bad lights (lack of visibility). Finally, we appreciate that after Ghantoot, police diverted the traffic towards the forest area towards on Alian and Dubai road. In conculsion we should appeal to the Drivers that when ever there is a poor visibility, to drive slowly with head lights on, but not with Hazord lights on i.e.Dipper/flashers on), Since the vehicle coming from behind cann't recognise the change of track and more over today accidents are cuased mainly all vehicles hitting from behind each other as they are unable stop because of wet road and poor visibility.
Ramu
Abu Dhabi,UAE
