Concrete barriers should be placed along Dubai Creek to help save the lives of motorists, an official from the Dubai Ports Authority said.
He said no fence has been erected along the creek where the woman drowned on Sunday after her car fell in. The area is used as a jetty for vessels, the official told Gulf News. The area is designated for boats.
"We need to have open space to serve boats at the jetty and the same area is also used by people who go there to fish or just to have a look at the creek." He said motorists should not be able to drive to the edge of the creek and endanger their lives.
After this unfortunate incident, he said he will propose a concrete barrier to keep motorists safe.
A source at the municipality said there is a debate over erecting a fence along the creek where the accident occurred. The rest of the walkway on Al Seef Street already has a fence.
Said Abdul Waleed, a businessman who goes to the creek for evening walks: "I have always been apprehensive about accidents taking place here as I have often seen motorists parking their cars very close to the creek."
He urged the authorities to immediately erect a fence because children also play in the area, risking their lives. He said motorists should not be allowed to drive or park their cars in the jetty area.
Shamsa Khalil, a Pakistani, said she often takes her children to the creek and has seen many cars parked right at the edge of the water, while some people sit near the creek, which is dangerous because there is no fence. "The creek is very deep and should be fenced off to prevent fatal accidents in the future."
A favourite spot for suicide attemptsDubai Creek, a favourite spot for tourists and residents, is also where many people try to commit suicide. A police rescue officer said every year at least six suicide attempts occur at this spot. Some fatal ones are listed below.
* 2001: An Indian mother placed her child on the quay at Dubai Port and jumped into the water, killing herself. The child was later found crying: "My mother has jumped into the water."
* 2002: An Indian expat wanted his wife to die with him and drove his mini-bus into Dubai Creek. The wife managed to get out, but the man died.
* 2003: An Indian expatriate who was playing cards at the Creek with his friends received a phone call from his girlfriend in India. No one knows what she said, but he suddenly jumped into the creek and drowned.
Gulf News
