Reem Island footbridge remains closed after lorry crash

A pedestrian bridge was struck by truck on Reem Island on Tuesday afternoon leading to its closure and that of two lanes on the road beneath it.

The damaged footbridge on Reem Island. Ravindranath K / The National

ABU DHABI // A pedestrian bridge was struck by a lorry on Reem Island on Tuesday afternoon leading to its closure and that of two lanes on the road beneath it.

The impact dislodged panels underneath a section of the footbridge between Sun and Sky Towers and Gate Towers and Arc buildings, and the structure’s interior framing was exposed.

A spokesperson from Aldar, the properties’ developers, said the accident occurred at approximately 4.15pm on Tuesday when a lorry came into contact with the footbridge.

“Nobody was injured, and we have temporarily closed the bridge until such time as a qualified third party consultant is able to assess the bridge and confirm its structural integrity,” they said.

Residents of the communities received a text message from Khidmah, the facility management company, informing them of the temporary closure of the bridge shortly after the incident.

Tareq Mohammed, a maintenance worker for Gate Towers, said the accident was caused due to a dump lorry driver forgetting to lower the truck’s bed, after emptying it of sand by the Gate Towers, before driving underneath the bridge.

Sammy Molua, a Gate Tower resident who uses the footbridge on a daily basis to get to and from work in Sky Tower said security diverted him from the bridge on his way back home.

“It’s OK now but in the summer months it will be a different experience if it is still closed,” said the Cameroon citizen.

Mr Molua said he chose to live in Gate Towers because of the convenient bridge.

“Its very convenient for me to go to work and I have a seven-year-old, sometimes she goes to Waitrose alone because I know there is a sky bridge she will not go outside on the road alone.”

Mr Molua said he was surprised there was no low bridge sign indicating the maximum height.

The Aldar spokesperson said the company maintained a presence at the site, and would provide an update at such time that they believe it appropriate to do so.