ABU DHABI // The funerals for five Emiratis, killed in a tragic head-on car crash on Saturday, have been held in their home towns.
Four were from the one family driving home to Al Ain from the airport after a trip to Germany.
Salem Al Darei, 28, was driving with his wife, their only child Khalifa, and her cousin when their car crashed into another SUV in Al Razeen, near Al Raha Beach.
“They were on their way back home from the airport when the accident took place,” said Saif Al Darei, Mr Al Darei’s brother.
“Salem, along with his wife and family, were in Germany to visit our aunt who is in hospital over there. We’re still in shock but our faith in Allah is helping us through this rough time.”
Mr Al Darei was a law student at Al Ghurair University in Dubai and was enrolled in military service.
The unexpected news of his death shocked his classmates, who posted their remembrances and condolences to his family on the university’s web page and forum.
The four family members were buried in Al Waqan graveyard in their hometown of Al Ain after isha prayers on Saturday.
The driver and only occupant of the other car, Omar Al Habsi, 28, from Ras Al Khaimah, was also killed in the crash.
Mr Al Habsi leaves a wife and young daughter, Mahra.
“We all referred to him as Bu Mahra,” said Bader Al Dhuhoori, a friend. “The tears at his funeral, especially from all the elders, is a great testament of how much he was loved.
“It was a tough scene of sadness and shock. He’s one of the great sons of our area. We spoke twice this week. I was looking for an eye doctor and he recommended a clinic for me.”
“This is the kind of person he was, always there for his friends and family, offering a helping hand. He is going to be terribly missed,” Mr Al Dhuhoori said.
The funeral prayer for Mr Al Habsi was performed at the Grand Mosque of Khat in RAK, and his body was laid to rest at the Khat graveyard on Saturday evening.
Investigations are still under way to determine the circumstances that led to the crash, in which one of the SUVs caught fire.
The accident is the worst in the country since four members of an Emirati family were killed in Umm Al Quwain a month ago.
Police and Civil Defence emergency teams rushed to the scene to tackle the fire.
Col Hamad Al Balushi, a director at Abu Dhabi traffic police, stressed the importance of drivers observing traffic laws, being careful and alert, and not exceeding speed limits.
Col Al Balushi said that by far the most common cause of serious accidents leading to deaths and injuries was excessive speed.
nalremeithi@thenational.ae
