AJMAN // A nine-year-old boy was critically injured when a vehicle hit him as he crossed a road near his school.
The incident, which took place as authorities launched a campaign targeting road accidents near schools, left the Pakistani child with multiple fractures and a brain haemorrhage. He is being treated in an intensive care unit.
The site of the accident was not a designated crossing area, said Col Ali al Matroushi, the Ajman police traffic department director.
"There were three pupils crossing at a wrong place," he said. "The driver was surprised to see them. He tried to stop or dodge them, only to hit the third pupil."
Authorities are still investigating the driver involved. A spate of accidents involving school pupils has prompted the new safety initiative.
These included the death of Shahda Abdul Rauf, five, killed by a speeding car last year after her school bus dropped her at home. The month-long campaign includes traffic awareness brochures and workshops for the emirate's students and school bus drivers. An exhibition has been organised in Ajman City Centre and will last for four days.
Emirates Transport is participating in the campaign, according to Abdul Aziz al Suwaidi, the director of the company's Ajman branch.
"All our drivers will be attending the workshops and receiving the brochures," he said.
