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Back to National News listGuard loses leg in horror smash
A security guard is fighting for his life and has had to have his leg amputated after a car ploughed into him while he was on duty at a gated community in Dubai.
Father-of-two Dhamar Raj was at the guardhouse in Meadows Eight when a Mercedes approached the gate to leave the complex.
According to eyewitnesses the driver did not slow down and smashed into the 36-year-old, pinning him against an air conditioning unit attached to the small hut.
It is believed the Iranian driver, who is thought to live in Meadows Eight, had been drinking at the time of the accident on Tuesday evening.
Human Resources manager at security firm Emrill, Derrick Mathias, told 7DAYS: “The driver banged straight into him at full speed. Lots of the residents saw what happened and went to help Dhamar and we would like to thank them.
He is a very good guard and popular with the residents.”
Raj, who is Nepalese, is under sedation at Rashid Hospital and is unaware his left leg has been amputated as a result of the accident.
His doctor told 7DAYS: “He had lost a lot of blood, maybe as many as 70 units.
We had to amputate his leg and he has not been conscious since. We don’t know when he will come off sedation.”
Mathias said Raj’s 86-year-old father had a heart attack when he was told his son had been in an accident.
He is recovering in Nepal.
Emrill is determined to fight for compensation for Raj, who came to the UAE two years ago. Mathias said the driver and his passenger, from Bahrain, were both arrested and are being held by police.
He said: “We have been told the driver was drunk and eye witnesses saw him try to swap places with his passenger but they told police and both were arrested.
They are behind bars and will be there until Dhamar is conscious and can talk to police.”
He added: “I am working with our lawyers and we want Dhamar to get compensation for what happened. He was doing his duty and did not deserve this. He has a family to support at home.”
Val Burrell, who lives in Springs Four, next to the accident site, said residents were left reeling after the incident and were keen to offer their support.
“It is absolutely terrible,” she said.
“He’s a good man and this should not have happened. We would like to do something to help and raise some money for him.”
nichola.jones@7days.ae
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To find out about fundraising for Dhamar Raj, email Val Burrell at valburrell@mailme.ae
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COMMENTS
it's sad what happened to Raj, and the driver and passenger should be jailed for a long long time. Being with 1 leg is not the end of the world. Hopefully, Raj will still be able to walk with a prosthetic leg and most people will not even notice it. The accident could have been much worse, he could have lost his life. What Raj and his family need right now is support and encouragement that all is not lost.
Posted by: stormystorm [19.Nov.09 8 : 27 PM]The changing of driver under certain circumstances is normal out here - it happened to me. After the lady slammed into my car we got out and she ran to passenger seat and guy ran to driver seat. Lucky for me there were witnessess who were kind enough to wait till police came.
Posted by: A. A. Ali [19.Nov.09 2 : 19 PM]I work in the same organization. I feel very sorry for Raj. For no mistake of his, he is undergoing this trauma. Neither the victim nor the driver would have dreamt about this..None can predict what can happen next. I urge every body to be more responsible and empathetic when it comes to driving.
Posted by: subra [19.Nov.09 2 : 01 PM]Re: Guard loses leg in horror smash Heard the noise from the crash and the helivac shortly thereafter. On thing I still cannot get over is HOW can someone not only plow into the security gatehouse and guard, but possibly try to swap drivers knowing you were drunk and going to get into serious trouble?? This is humanity in its lowest form, and one can only hope he pays as much as the law allows. Actually, why not implement the death penalty? It has been given for much less to others. The guard now has to live the rest of his life with one leg and for what? Because some idiot that does not deserve to walk this Earth commits drink driving, slams into the guard then tries to cover himself. What a sick, selfish animal! Shards
Posted by: shards [19.Nov.09 11 : 16 AM]That is soo unjust and terrible for this man. These security guards only earn aBOUT 700 DHS per month and have families to support/. I hope that the driver is forced to pay huge compensation to Raj and his family for trauma he has done. May God bless Raj Dhamar and his family and bring him to good health again.
Posted by: Aussiemaus [19.Nov.09 11 : 11 AM]OMG, that's just terrible! I hope Raj will survive and get the compensation he deserves. These guys should do jail time!
Posted by: Flowerchildpr [19.Nov.09 10 : 44 AM]Reading this story really leaves me both sad and upset.I live in the Springs- security guards here are the best!Always smiling and waving each time I arrive home.People drive like maniacs in this area-racing to get home at about 120km/h when the speed limit is 40!We need some speed cameras set up in this area.Whether the driver was drunk or not,an incident like this was bound to happen.Everyone please slow down and help make this neighbourhood a safer place to live in.My thoughts and prayers are with you Dhamar - I hope you recover soon.xo
Posted by: hellokitty [19.Nov.09 8 : 07 AM]Ouf, what a tragic story!
Posted by: Ancient x [19.Nov.09 7 : 58 AM]KEEP YOURSELF UPDATED
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