Teenage death in Sharjah blamed on 'bed games'
The family of a 13-year-old who plunged to her death from her bedroom window fear the tragedy may have happened as she was playing on her bed.
Since Thursday night’s incident at Buhaira Oasis building, near Sharjah’s Buhaira Police Station, Hamid Obaid Al Junabi, the father of Ayat Hamid, has been spending most of his time praying.
The Sharjah car dealer said: “As a Muslim I believe nothing happens by accident. It was her time to leave us but as a parent it is distressing to see your child die in such circumstances. It is a pain that I will never go, but I am only praying to God to deal with it.”
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Ayat Hamid fell from the fourth floor of the Buhaira Oasis building
It is believed Ayat fell out the window as she lost balance while jumping on her bed in their fourth-floor apartment.
Her 15-year-old brother Hamza said his sister was full of life and always took her studies seriously.
“She was my closest friend and confidante,” he said.
“We used to share a lot together. I am finding it hard to cope with the loss of my sister, but Inshallah I will find a way to heal the pain.” Ayat was a Grade 7 student at Sharjah’s Al Ahliya Private School.
Ayat’s mother suspects her daughter was playing on her bed, which is beneath the window.
“She was a very happy girl who got everything she wanted. We cannot imagine that she wanted to take her own life,” she added.
Sharjah Police are still investigating the incident but said they are treating it as an accident.
abdu.baasit@7days.ae
Comments
by Ydolem
Tuesday, May 15 2012, 11:32AM
“my heart goes out to the parents & brother of the child who tragically passed away..
I agree to the comments...I have been reading too many news about children falling off the windows in UAE , mostly in Sharjah. I am a mother of a 7 month old daughter and a 12yr old son and whenever I read such stories, I can't help but imagine how those children might have felt while falling off specially to those who even had the chance to hang on to the window before their way falling to death - they must have been so frightened. You can't just help but cry & feel so sorry about it.
I am not blaming the parents of the above child on this article, but the parents of the previous incidents where children aged 3-5 years fell off the window just because their irresponsible parents left them unattended to shop or simply leave their kids alone in a room, i.e. bldg. near Megamall incident, the one at Radisson Hotel in Sharjah, Jamal Abdul Nasser incident, JLT etc.
I wish these type of stories will end, it is so heart breaking. It is too common sense that you should not leave your young children unattended, neither put a chair, bed or a table that they can climb on near a window that would basically fit a small (already walking) child - as it will obviously endanger their life.”
by Johntagg60
Sunday, May 13 2012, 5:02PM
“This is very sad! My sincere condolences to the family of the teenage girl.
Apologies if I may say this but for the sake of your child safety could those living in a tower get some window restrictors by DumaSafe! Time after time we keep coming across such horrific tragic accidents about innocent children falling from windows .... and this has happened lately in other emirates as well. I take my hat off to Abu Dhabi authorities of making it a law to place such window safety devices in the emirate soon.
As a resident in this country may I urge parents to take some time out and look into the basis of the basic details in making the environment of your children safer, ESPECIALLY if you are living in a high rise building.”
by Johntagg60
Sunday, May 13 2012, 4:59PM
“This is very sad! My sincere condolences to the family of the teenage girl.
Apologies if I may say this but for the sake of your child safety could those living in a tower get some window restrictors by someone like dumasafe! Time after time we keep coming across such horrific tragic accidents about innocent children falling from windows .... and this has happened lately in other emirates as well. I take my hat off to Abu Dhabi authorities of making it a law to place such window safety devices in the emirate soon.
As a resident in this country may I urge parents to take some time out and look into the basis of the basic details in making the environment of your children safer, ESPECIALLY if you are living in a high rise building.”
by Michelleollan
Sunday, May 13 2012, 3:08PM
“My condolences to the family of the child.
As a parent living in a low rise building in Dubai, I would like to share with the above that a special window restrictor is now available in Dubai by a child safety company.
I would also warn parents that they should refrain from permanently locking their windows or balcony doors (via a lock or removing the handles) for fire and safety reasons. Ideal solution is to place a restrictor and NOT a lock, and pls do not compromise on the quality! Its all about awareness and not trying to save pennies which can save a child's life!”
by Abu_Dhabi_Bob
Sunday, May 13 2012, 2:36PM
“I am shocked by how many kids fall out of windows in Sharjah. Is there a design problem with the windows? Too many stories about falling people in Sharjah. I don't hear about this happening elsewhere in the UAE.”
by Nicksummers
Sunday, May 13 2012, 1:03PM
“Children falling off the windows is just getting ridiculous. Can 7-days please suggest who should parents approach for an advice or a product to avoid such tragic accidents?!? There has to be a solution.”
by Alidifc
Sunday, May 13 2012, 12:51PM
“Another child falls! Children will remain children but parents can and should take the responsibility of minimizing the risks around them! I recall seeing this lady from a child proofing company on Dubai One channel who mentioned 'any furniture close to windows or balconies in a high rise building flat should ring alarms for parents as children'.
Ali”
by Fatima_Suhail
Sunday, May 13 2012, 12:04AM
“This is very sad and tragic :(”