Motorist arrested after death of child, 4, outside Dubai school

The woman is being questioned by police after the tragic incident on Monday

A woman has been arrested in connection with the death of a child struck by a car outside Greenfield International School in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dubai Police arrested a motorist after the death of a young girl struck by a vehicle outside her school on Monday.

Insiya Vajihi, 4, was hit while she was standing with her mother in the car park of Greenfield International School at 3.40pm.

Mother and child were crushed between the moving vehicle and a parked car.

The child died at the scene while her mother was taken to NMC Hospital with fractures.

Police announced on Wednesday that an African woman – whose age and specific nationality were not disclosed – had been taken into custody.

"She has been arrested and questioned. She said she hit the accelerator hard by mistake," said Brigadier Saeed Al Malek, head of Al Rashidiya Police Station.

The senior police officer called on schools to help increase traffic-safety awareness among parents and hire more security staff trained to deal with busy traffic at schools.

“I urge parents to be more wary and pay real attention to educational messages or leaflets about driving, parking in front of schools, drop-offs and pickups of their children,” said Brig Al Malek.

He visited Greenfield International School on Wednesday.

Salah bu Farousha Al Felasi, director of Traffic Prosecution, said the woman would remain in custody for seven days while investigations are carried out.

The prosecutor said the woman admitted hitting the child, but said he was waiting for the results of technical reports and has not yet received surveillance-camera footage from the scene.

Mr Al Felasi said the driver was being questioned over causing the wrongful death of a person, jeopardising the safety of others and causing damage.

In a letter to parents, principal Allan Weston said the school was offering support to staff and children.

"Words cannot describe how difficult this time is for the entire school community. We are doing all that we can to provide support as we help each other through this most difficult of times," he wrote.

"We also have psychologists from The LightHouse Arabia on site to help provide guidance on how to communicate, counsel and support our primary and secondary students through this tragic period of grief and mourning."