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Abu Dhabi: Police have completed their investigations into one of the smaller accidents in the vicinity of the massive pile-up near Ghantoot last Tuesday, allowing insurance claims to be finalised.
However, investigations into the major accident still need to be finalised, said an official on Sunday.
"Formalities regarding an accident involving two or three vehicles have been completed, but it will take some time to complete insurance fomalities as we are still investigating the major accident," said Colonel Hamad Adil Al Shamsi, Director of the Traffic and Patrols Department at Abu Dhabi police.
He said owners of vehicles involved in the accident would be paid out according to their own arrangements with their insurance companies.
One of worst
The accident that occurred on March 11 on the highway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi was one of the worst recorded in the country. There were three major pile-ups of vehicles and some smaller accidents involving two or three vehicles.
Addressing a press conference, Col Al Shamsi denied reports of the death toll reaching 10.
All three people killed in the accident were confirmed dead on the scene.
Dismissing rumours of the death toll being higher, Col Al Shamsi said: "We don't know why people thought the death toll was higher. Only three people died in the accident. It could be the number of vehicles involved and the magnitude of the accident which made people think there were more fatalities."
Eisa Saif Al Rumaithi, Director of the Medical Middle Region Health Authority, confirmed 3 people died and 351 were injured. He said only 23 victims are still in hospital. Three of the patients are still in a critical condition.
Investigations are ongoing into the causes of the accident. "The first accident is believed to have happened around 6.30 am. The police control room received the first call at 6.39am. Traffic patrol vehicles on the highway were immediately informed and rushed to the scene. Simultaneously, rescue teams and ambulances were also called in."
The pile-ups happened at the Al Ajban area, Ghantoot. The worst pile-up, involving dozens of vehicles, happened before the Ghantoot Bridge on the highway in Abu Dhabi, a few kilometres from the Dubai border, he said.
Some traffic and rescue officials were in the vicinity when other accidents happened along the same road a couple of hundred metres away. Col Al Shamsi attributed the low death toll to the presence of officials, as well as the efficient and coordinated efforts of all involved.
Fog and low visibility were identified as the main causes of the accident. "Visibility was just a few metres and there was heavy traffic at the time."
Colonel Othman Al Tamimi, Director of the Emergency and Safety Management section of Abu Dhabi police, said the speed of the official response was commendable.
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