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 a series of horrific accidents 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. About seven people with minor injurious from the accident site in Ghantoot were treated and later discharged said a senior doctor from the Accident and Emergency Unit at Rashid hospital.
Serious casualties were taken to Al Rahba and Al Mafraq hospitals in Abu Dhabi.
Dr. Victor Mikhael Butros, in charge of the Accident and Emergency Unit of the hospital said: “We received the news of the accident at 9am and immediately a team comprising of two doctors and two nurses along with equipments were dispatched to the scene.


"We were told to expect 40 causalities but when our team reached the site we told that only seven accident victims with minor injurious will be sent to us. Those with serious injurious were admitted to two hospitals in Abu Dhabi.”
Police also said that because of the bad weather helicopters were unable to begin airlifting the injured until 11.30am.
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 you. “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. Did you witness the accident? Are you caught in the traffic? Fill in the form below to send your comments or upload your photographs by clicking on this link.
Your commentsDrivers should always drive with high concentration and maintain sufficient gapNazeerDubai,U.A.EPosted: March 11, 2008, 14:3613 cars crashed into Ruwais Road near TarifNoorAbuDhabi,UAEPosted: March 11, 2008, 14:36If you have no head lights on, tinted windows beyond the police legal allowance, hazards flashing, needle bouncing off the 160km, coffee in one hand, and a copy of the local newspaper on your steering wheel, what else was going to happen apart from today's accident. Having traveled for the last 4 years on the same route, i see it everyday. I can bet that all those who are suffering now are the ones that didn't cause the accident. Better to be 40 minutes late in this world than 40 years early in the next! Slow down and listen to advice.P BrentDubai,UAEPosted: March 11, 2008, 14:34Most of accidents are caused because of driving fast. In fog people should drive slowly and carefully, but if on the roads no controls and no rules, then it is normal that such accidents happen, So do not be surprisedmikeDubai,UAEPosted: March 11, 2008, 14:34Inshallah injured people will be fine. i was there in the scene and im speechless all i can say is that we all should learn from this terrible scene and behave and obey rulesosamaabu dhabi,uaePosted: March 11, 2008, 14:34This happens despite the licensing law being strict. I feel that the UAE govt must now think of building more metros and also local railways for the commuters, so that less number of people travel on this road.sanjeevDubai,UAEPosted: March 11, 2008, 14:34I am a student intern at Mafraq hospital. The only way to describe the aftermath in the ER would be to call it chaotic. Intensive efforts were made to help patients in the ER .Thank god they were successful as many people were treated for broken bones and tissue injury.omerbaniyas,uaePosted: March 11, 2008, 14:27Seeing the above accident, I request Road Traffic Authority to reduce the speed limit in Dubai-Abu Dhabi road.PawneDubai,UAEPosted: March 11, 2008, 14:27I've never ever seen such a horrible accidentArshadal ain,indiaPosted: March 11, 2008, 14:26The government should implement a rule that vehicles should not run at the speed of 60 Km/hr during the foggy condition, at the same time the employer(s) should consider the reasons of the delay occuring because of the fog as a valid reason in order to let the drivers drive the vehicle at the nominal speed.S M RazeenAbu Dhabi,U AEPosted: March 11, 2008, 14:26When you are driving through the fog please don't switch on the hazards and if you are stuck in the traffic when fogs there please switch on the hazards and if it is thick fog please horn at least two or three times. then only people can notice infront of them have to face some traffic. these things came to my mind today morning i also faced three accident on the way to dubai from abu dhab. two times i escaped from the accident because of the horn sound at the time i couldn't seen any hazards lights due to huge fog. lalithDubai,UAEPosted: March 11, 2008, 14:26This has happened due to some stupid people who always believe their car brakes will save them.BilalDubai,UAEPosted: March 11, 2008, 14:26So much for the new point system encouraging people to drive more safely...PaulAbu Dhabi,UAEPosted: March 11, 2008, 14:24Don't drive at all during thick fog, because if you slow down, you might get hit by cars from behind. Until UAE drivers reach a maturity level, stay home or park your car. Your life is more expensive than any other appointment you might have.TareqRAK,UAEPosted: March 11, 2008, 14:24I saw thing happening in front of me. I just save my life because my speed was slow so i could control my carVijayAbu Dhbai,UAEPosted: March 11, 2008, 14:24My collegue broke his hip in this accident. He is already really old and had replaced one hip couple of years ago.SimaoAD,uaePosted: March 11, 2008, 14:23I was heading to Abu Dhabi at 0630 hours just past Jebel Ali. When thick fog appeared I got off the road and sat in a garage area until it cleared as crazy people were driving in excess of 100kmh despite only 20 meters visibility. The reason for this crash is ignorance while driving in these conditions ie flashing light and of course speed