(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) A collision between a taxi and a 14-seater van claimed three lives and injured 11 people in the heart of the Capital early Sunday morning.
According to the Abu Dhabi Police, the accident happened at Shaikh Saif bin Mohammed Intersection to Sa'ada Street in the Mushrif district of the city. "All victims in the passenger van and the taxi were of Asian origin. Both the dead and the injured were rushed to the nearby Shaikh Khalifa Medical City complex in police and Civil Defence ambulances," a statement from the police said.
Major Abdullah Al Suwaidi, Head of Investigations Section for Severe Road Accidents at the Abu Dhabi Traffic and Patrols Department, said: "Among the dead were two passengers from the van and one from the taxi. Among the injured, one sustained severe wounds, four moderate and six minor."
"After receiving the report of the accident this morning, a strong rescue and safety team, including personnel from the Civil Defence and paramedics, was rushed to the scene. Patrols from the traffic department immediately helped clear the road for traffic flow," he said.
Suwaidi said initial investigations suggest the accident was caused by the van driver who exceeded the speed limit, jumped the red signal and crashed into the taxi.
"The investigation is still under way to find the exact cause of this fatal accident in the city. Motorists are advised to pay more attention on the road and adhere to speed limits to prevent fatal accidents. Drivers must reduce speed when approaching signals and stop when it is about to turn red and wait until it is green," the officer advised.
