Dubai students mourn loss of 3 brothers in weekend car crash on first day of school

Dubai resident Fiza has been struggling to console her son, who is a student of Year 9 at Arab Unity School (AUS). He was excited to see his friends on the first day back at school but what awaited him was the shocking news that one of his dearest friends had died in a tragic accident over the weekend.

“In the morning, their principal and a teacher came to his class and informed the students that their classmate had died in a car crash,” she told Khaleej Times. “Many of the students including my son began crying. They were all close friends. But the school handled the situation in a very delicate manner and gave a powerful speech asking the kids to pray for their deceased friends.”

It was on Saturday that the three siblings and their housemaid died when the family’s car crashed while returning from a trip to Liwa. They were on their way to their home in Dubai.

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On Monday, the school sent out an email to parents informing them of the tragedy. Fiza said she was shocked when the note came. “When I went to pick my son up, the minute our eyes met, we both broke down,” she said, her voice quivering with emotions. “We hugged each other and cried for a while. I used to see these boys laughing and playing with my son every day when I went to pick my son up. Our entire school community is in shock. My friend just called and told me that her son had cried all the way from school to home. It is heartbreaking.”

Fiza’s son was too emotional to speak to Khaleej Times.

Mature, friendly boys

She said that two of the boys who died were her son’s classmates over the years. “They were such mature and friendly boys,” she recalled. “They were very jolly and funny. The parents were sport-lovers, so the boys were very sporty. All five of the siblings were in the same school and I used to see them walking in every day. The elder one used to take care of his younger siblings so well.”

She said she had interacted with their mother on several occasions as well. “She used to be on the school's parents’ forum a few years ago and we used to interact,” she said. “Later, when her elder son needed some notes, she used to call me. They were such a lovely family.”

She added that she was praying for the parents and remaining siblings. “The 10-year-old girl was very sweet and used to come to school in ponytails,” she said. “I am just hoping and praying that the family gets the strength to get through this difficult time.”

School support

According to Mark Pollitt, Principal of AUS, from the moment they became aware of the tragedy, their focus has been twofold. “To honour the family with dignity and sensitivity, and to protect the emotional wellbeing of our students and staff,” he said. “The news was shared carefully and calmly, with space for reflection and prayer, and with trusted adults present to support students emotionally.” 

He said that counsellors, pastoral leaders, and senior staff are available across the school and will remain so in the days and weeks ahead. “We recognise that grief does not follow a timetable,” he said.

“Our staff have been guided to respond with patience and understanding, and we are working closely with parents to ensure children are supported both at school and at home in ways that are appropriate for them. Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies are with the family as they endure an unimaginable time of grief and uncertainty. As a school community, we are holding them close and standing alongside them with compassion, respect, and care.”