Saham in shock as three of same family die in accident

Muscat: People from the town of Saham were shocked and saddened to hear of the death of three members of the same family, who died in a car accident while returning from Salalah.

Keen to enjoy the amazing weather of the Khareef festival, Reem Al Zaabi travelled with her husband Muntasir Al Muraikhi, their young son, two-year-old Ali, and her younger brother, Taha (16). Her elder brother Ayman, 28, also went with them to Salalah, along with his wife, children, and their mother.

On the morning of August 10, Reem’s family decided to begin their journey home, with Ayman scheduled to depart later that day. Both of them had rented apartments next to each other to stay in during their holiday.

While making preparations to leave, though, the Royal Oman Police called Ayman to tell him the tragic news: Reem, Taha, and Ali had died on the Salalah-Haima road after their vehicle collided with another. Muntasir and the housemaid sustained pelvic fractures.

“When I heard of what had happened to them, I just could not process my thoughts,” recalled a grief-stricken Ayman, speaking to Times of Oman. “All I could do was sit on a chair in our apartment.”

Ayman’s face turned pale but chose not to share the shocking news with his family , ordering them to quickly pack their things, all the while hoping the police had made a mistake and that his sister’s family were actually unharmed.

“My mother asked me why I was so pale, but I told her we needed to leave immediately because someone was waiting for us,” he added.

“I spoke directly with Oman Air and asked them to book us on the next available flight to Muscat. My mother kept asking me why I was acting weird, but I chose not to answer her, and only looked at my children.”

The bodies of the deceased were transported to Saham on police planes. By the time Ayman and his family came home, news of their passing had spread, and neighbours and well-wishers had gathered outside. It was then that his mother realised what had happened.

“No, no Ayman!” she exclaimed. “Do not tell me what has happened to your sister! Don’t say that Reem, Taha, and Ali, my heart and soul, have died! Tell me they are fine!”

Unable to contain his grief anymore, Ayman broke down, tears pouring endlessly down his face. His wife, also in tears, tried to calm his mother.

Soon after the bodies arrived in Saham, the tragic news spread throughout the town, and many mourners gathered to pay their final respects. They were buried at 3am on Wednesday, 11 August.