Drop in Sharjah Eid road deaths

SHARJAH // Ambulance operators in the Northern Emirates had a busy Eid Al Fitr, receiving a higher number of calls to incidents this year compared with last year.

Yet, despite the higher number of calls, in Sharjah there were fewer people killed in accidents and injured over the five days of Eid.

Five people were killed in Sharjah so far this year, whereas nine had died in accidents last year during the holiday period alone.

Sharjah Police recorded only two fatalities because of road accidents during the festival this year.

This Eid, six people were injured in road accidents, while last year, 17 people were injured.

The National Ambulance Company (NAC) received 586 calls during the five-day public-sector holiday, which ran from July 27 to 31.

Of these calls, 362 were made from Sharjah, 102 from Ras Al Khaimah, 75 from Ajman, 40 in Fujairah, and seven from Umm Al Quwain.

The NAC said 38 per cent of the calls were to report injuries in traffic accidents.

“This Eid was a busy one and we had more calls than we have on regular days,” said Ahmed Al Hajeri, deputy chief executive of the NAC. Usually, the team responds to fewer than 100 calls a day.

“We had 24 ambulances available throughout the break and had ensured that people were on duty in case they were required,” said Mr Al Hajeri.

“Medical crews were available to attend to accidents and emergencies without delay across the Northern Emirates.”

He said staff were on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, responding to emergencies from their 24 stations located in Sharjah, Ajman, Al Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain.

The control-room team, based in Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Towers, worked at gaining the vital information so that help could be sent as soon as possible.

Since the Northern Emirates service launched on February 24, it has dealt with 13,879 cases.

“We are here to reach the spot on time and help reduce the fatalities. Whereas usually we get more calls from the urban areas, during Eid, the number of calls from the rural areas increased,” Mr Al Hajeri said.

“It may be because so many people were out with their families enjoying the good weather, and accidents occur,” he said.

Mr Al Hajeri urged the public to avoid gathering around the sites of accidents to allow medics to reach the injured.

Col Abdullah bin Amer, head of central operations at Sharjah Police, lauded the public and authorities for their efforts to support the campaign, An Eid Al Fitr Without Accidents.

“The campaign contributed to the noticeable decrease in the numbers of deaths and road accidents in Sharjah this Eid compared to the same holiday last year,” said Col bin Amer.

“Despite the efforts by police patrols to implement the strategic plan to decrease road accidents and deaths, the cooperation of members of society remains the basis of the success of the plan.

“The public is a strategic partner, as any plan depends on people’s collaboration and direct contact with us.

“Their support is important to complete the plan,” he said.

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