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A four-year-old boy tragically died yesterday in an unlicensed vehicle being used to transport students – after he was left asleep inside for hours and was overcome by the soaring temperature.
Police have arrested a 40-year-old female driver who had not spotted him curled up in his seat before locking up and leaving the scene.
Hassan Al Mahari was on the morning trip to his kindergarten in Demistan yesterday with other pupils.
The Bahraini toddler, described by his family as the ‘light of the home’, was the eldest of two children and was said to have adored his baby sister.
He was found unconscious inside the vehicle, according to a member of the family. “Despite efforts to save him, he later succumbed to severe heat exhaustion,” said the relative who wish not to be named.
“Hassan boarded the vehicle yesterday morning and fell asleep during the short ride.”
While all the other students stepped out of the vehicle, he remained asleep inside without the driver noticing.
It is understood that the vehicle was then locked and left unattended for several hours as the temperature inside increased in the sunshine.
It was only later as the children prepared for the return trip home that the kindergarten staff asked about Hassan, which led to ‘a state of panic and confusion’.
His relative said Hassan was found unresponsive in the vehicle and emergency services were called.
The toddler was taken to the BDF Hospital but despite valiant efforts to revive him he did not survive.
The Interior Ministry announced last night that the Northern Governorate Police Directorate has taken legal measures regarding the death of a four-an-half-year-old child inside a vehicle in Hamad Town.
Upon receiving a call from a kindergarten employee, police patrols and the National Ambulance immediately responded and quickly arrived at the scene.
An initial investigation revealed that the child had passed away due to the alleged ‘negligence of the 40-year-old female driver, who left the child for several hours inside a vehicle that was not designated for student transport’, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.
The Northern Governorate Police Directorate confirmed that the necessary legal procedures have been taken and the case had been referred to the Public Prosecution.
The Interior Ministry urged parents to ensure their children’s safety and to avoid contracting unlicensed drivers who were not authorised to transport children.
The ministry also reaffirmed that its concerned authorities continue to conduct awareness and educational campaigns targeting school and kindergarten staff, students and parents to promote student safety in vehicles and around educational facilities.
Neighbours, relatives, and members of the Damistan Housing community have poured out messages of support and condolences, praying for Hassan’s heartbroken family.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare,” said a neighbour in the Demistan area. “We entrust our children to these vehicles every morning, believing they will be safe. Hassan’s death must be a turning point.”
Area MP Dr Muneer Suroor said he was stunned by the incident. “A life gone too soon, and a lesson too painful to be repeated,” he said.
“People with limited budgets will always seek the cheapest service and we are speaking of half the price of an authorised contractor. Also, many parents can’t skip or go to work late, so they opt for the most convenient bus service, whether it is licensed or not.”
He added that the family was devastated and too upset to speak at the moment. “However, relatives have said that following the burial in either Janusan or nearby Meqsha, the family’s home area, they will talk about the issues surrounding the tragedy.”
The GDN previously reported details of a similar fatal incident in 2013 involving a five-year-old school pupil.
Rashid Fadhel Buzuhaira was left inside a vehicle for three-and-a-half-hours as temperatures outside reached 40C. He was only discovered at around noon in a weakened state and died on the way to hospital.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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