4 died and 38 injured in a laborer bus overturned under Shaabiat Mussafah Bridge

Sunday: 11 July 2010:

Four men died and 38 sustained injuries when their bus overturned under Mussafah Bridge on the way towards Abu Dhabi City, on Sunday early morning. 

When the Central Operations Room was alerted about the accident at 03:40, Traffic Patrols from the Department of Highways, ambulances and rescue vehicles, field hospital from ADP Department of Emergency and Public Safety and civil Defence were mobilized to the site of the accident. They dealt with the accident and the injured persons were evacuated to hospitals. The road was then re-opened to traffic.

Lt. Yusuf Ibrahim Al Bahlooli, Director of Severe Accidents Investigation Branch at the Highways Traffic Section said "According to our investigation the bus overturned due to speeding and suddenly veered off the road, although there are no turns on the road ".

"The driver of the bus (a Pakistani National) and two of the passengers (Indian nationals) died on the spot, while the third passenger died in the hospital (Indian National). 38 persons of Asian nationality sustained medium and minor injuries", added Al Bahlooli.

Captain Mohammad Al Zaabi, Director of Public Relations Branch at the Department of Emergency and Public safety said "Ambulances have evacuated 6 injured persons to Al Mufraq hospital. 25 persons, with minor injuries, have received treatment at the field hospital. Three injured passengers have been taken by the Civil Defence ambulances. The dead passenger has been transferred to the Preventive Medicine department".

He urged the public to alert the Central Operations Room about any accident as quickly as possible. Vehicles should be removed from the center of the road in minor accidents so as not to impede the flow of the traffic. He called on the public to give way to ambulances and traffic patrols at all times. Drivers should watch out for road surprises by slowing down and following traffic signs.

He also urged bus drivers who transport workers during early hours, to drive within speed limits and to be cautious.