One dead and two injured in five-car crash on Abu Dhabi-Dubai motorway

Witnesses posted images and video of the accident on social media which showed plumes of smoke billowing from a car that caught fire.

One person died and two were injured in a five-car collision on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway on Tuesday morning. Courtesy Security Media

ABU DHABI // One person, believed to be a young mother, died and two women were injured in a five-car crash on the Abu Dhabi to Dubai motorway on Tuesday morning.

Lt Col Jamal Al Ameri, chief of Public Relations at Abu Dhabi Traffic and Patrols Directorate, said that an individual died when their car caught fire because of the accident.

The dead person was thought to be a young mother.

The crash, which happened near Al Bandar just before Al Raha Beach, forced commuters to take alternative routes into the city as the Abu Dhabi-bound lanes on the motorway were closed to traffic.

Motorists were diverted to the Sheikh Khalifa motorway through Yas and Saadiyat islands, while others bypassed the accident by taking roads through Khalifa City.

Witnesses posted images and video of the accident on social media showing one car completely burnt out.

Ahmed Bilal, 30, said he was driving less than a kilometre behind the vehicles that crashed when it happened.

“I noticed some commotion and a plume of smoke rise from the road ahead of me.”

After turning off the road he parked at the closest bridge to capture pictures of the accident.

“I saw one car explode into flames and another two catch fire as a result,” he said.

Mr Bilal said an Emirati citizen driving a Toyota Land Cruiser pulled over to help tow one of the blazing cars away to safety.

The car was so hot to the touch that the owner quickly took his hands away when he attempted to push the car along, he said.

“I didn’t see anyone exit the car that exploded and don’t think there was enough time for someone to get out.”

Fire engines, police cars and ambulances were all on the scene within 10 minutes, according to Mr Bilal.

Abu Dhabi police said the injured were taken to Khalifa and Mafraq hospitals while the deceased was taken to Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. A source at the hospital said the dead person was a woman.

An injured Emirati woman was taken to Mafraq hospital where relatives said she was in stable condition and expected to return home soon.

Police are investigating to find out the cause of the crash.