By Mureeh Al-Mureeh, Arab News Staff
JOUF, 3 September — Two Saudis perished in a traffic accident in Sakaka while they were on their way to convey condolences after the death of a relative.
Police identified the two as Mahl ibn Khashm Al-Ruwaily and Musaid Basheetan Al-Ruwaily. They were rushed to Prince Abdul Rahman Al-Sudairy Hospital in Sakaka, but died on the way.
Police said the accident occurred when the Mercedes in which the two Saudis were traveling hit a tow car parked on the road. The two were going to see the family of Sahoud Falah Al-Namsh, former director of the Jouf governor’s office.
The duo were well known in the Jouf region, mainly due to their efforts to settle local tribal and family disputes.
In less than one year, more than 50 Saudis have been killed on the regional road in Sakaka, which is often crowded with those entering the Kingdom by road from other Gulf countries and Egypt and pilgrims from Iraq, Iran and the Central Asian countries.
Saudis have complained that accidents occur because of the narrowness of the road and its lack of streetlights.
In a separate incident in Gurayat, a Dubai-registered Mercedes driven by a Jordanian overturned on the International Road while he was on his way to the United Arab Emirates from the Hudaitha checkpoint.
The Jordanian was killed in the accident, which apparently happened when he fell asleep at the wheel.
Also in Gurayat, a bus coming from Oman ran over a herd of sheep, 14 kilometers east of Ain Al-Hawas. At least 70 sheep died in the incident, but all 40 bus passengers escaped unharmed. The passengers were taken to a nearby rest house by police.
They continued their journey to Dammam after the bus had been repaired.
Saudi Arabia has one of the world's highest rates of road accidents. One person is killed and eight others are injured every two hours as a result of traffic accidentshere, according to official statistics.
