Flood of calls to emergency services on National Day

Number of calls up 27 per cent on 2016 figures, with road traffic accidents the biggest demand

Emergency services experienced a flood of calls over the National Day weekend with phone operators receiving a 46 per cent increase on the average number of daily requests for help.

The National Ambulance service received more than a thousand calls during the four-day weekend at the end of November.

Of those calls 271 were made on National Day, 27 per cent more than on the same day in 2016.

The National Ambulance service provides round-the-clock coverage across Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, Sharjah and Fujairah.

According to its latest report, the most common incidents requiring an emergency ambulance were traffic accidents.

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The service responded to 203 motor vehicle accidents, of which 52 were on National Day, and 73 per cent higher than the number of calls received for traffic accidents on an average day.

“The increased popularity of National Day is reflected in the rise in the number of calls we received, showing a 73 per cent increase than our normal daily activity,” said Ahmed Saleh Al Hajeri, deputy CEO of National Ambulance.

“The community can be assured that we were well-prepared for this extra demand and our team responded to every incident in a highly professional manner.

“While the country was celebrating, National Ambulance was proud to support the community in ensuring that everyone could enjoy and participate in many events across the Northern Emirates.

“We share the pride of the UAE and always work to serve its people.”