FUJAIRAH // An Emirati family have spoken of their heartache at the loss of their “sweet, smiling and loving” daughter who was killed when an iron gate fell on top of her.
Seven-year-old Nof Al Bloushi was trying to close the gate at the family’s home in Al Faseel when the accident happened at about 2pm on Saturday. The youngster was crushed underneath the heavy iron gate which had slipped off its tracks.
“She was playing outside in the garden when her brother drove his car out and she when after him to close the gate when it went off the tracks and fell on her,” said Abdullah Al Bloushi, the girl’s uncle.
“Her brother-in-law was sitting in the garden before the incident and when her brother left he decided to go back to the house and that’s when he heard the crashing sound and rushed to see what had happened.
“He tried to lift the gate up, but it was very heavy so the neighbour came to help,” said Mr Al Bloushi.
The family rushed Nof to Fujairah Hospital but she died on the way.
“Her little body couldn’t survive the hit as she suffered from bleeding and injuries that affected all of her body,” said Mr Al Bloushi.
The youngster was in the second grade at Al Bahr School pupil and had seven siblings.
“She was a sweet and active girl, well-known for her big smile and heart and loved by everyone. Her loss affected us all and we believe that she is now in a better place, in heaven,” said Mr Al Bloushi.
Fujairah police received a call at 2pm about the incident and ambulance and police were sent to the scene.
Funeral prayers were held the same day at Sheikh Mohammed Al Sharqi Mosque after Al Maghreb prayers before Nof was buried in Fujairah cemetery.
Ahmad Al Tartor, director of the Sharjah Children Protection Centre, said while accidents can happen it was important that families do their best to ensure their homes are safe.
“It’s very important to try and keep the environment around children safe and keep them away from any danger, like preventing them from playing near parking lots or using hazardous objects and removing any furniture close to windows.
“We are always ready to give advice and help to parents no matter where they are, either by phone or through other local institutions,” he said.
The centre provides consultation and support to families, who can call its 24-hour hotline for advice on 800700.
This is not the first such incident to happen in the northern emirates. In Ajman in January, a four-year-old Emirati girl died in her father’s arms after the iron gate at the front of their home fell on her.
Raya Taresh Al Nuaimi went outside her villa in Al Jurf to see an aunt off to work when the main gate fell. She died 10 minutes before reaching Sheikh Khalifa Hospital.
rhaza@thenational.ae
