Abdul Majeed Faiz Al-Ahmadi, a second grade student at an elementary school, was hit by a trailer truck. The child was playing football together with his classmates during a physical education lesson. When the ball went out of the school grounds onto a nearby street, he ran after it and was hit by the vehicle. The boy died instantly, Al-Madinah newspaper reported yesterday.

Many local residents blamed school authorities for the death. They said there were no teachers to monitor students while they were playing during school time.

The school has no fences, parents said, adding students are vulnerable to accidents while playing in the school grounds because they can run onto public roads easily.

Abdul Majeed's sister said her family would not show any leniency to those responsible for the tragic death of her brother. Recently, another student identified as Rania had sustained injuries and fractures in a similar accident. The school director shifted Rania’s class from the upper floor to the ground floor because of her inability to go up the stairs.

Her mother said most drivers are not watching out for students and are speeding when passing by schools. She called for setting up speed humps on roads in front of schools, especially elementary ones.

Waddad Al-Harbi, director of an elementary school for girls in Madinah, said at least three of her students sustained injuries in accidents near the school premises. She said school authorities have taken all possible precautionary measures and are making students aware of the need to be careful when crossing roads or getting in or out of vehicles. She underlined the need for working out a joint plan with school managements and traffic authorities to ensure the safety of students.

Faiz Al-Hojaili, deputy director of Saad bin Abi Waqas School, said accidents near schools have become a nightmare for Saudi families in all parts of the country.

“Most of the victims in accidents happening near schools are students,” he said while stressing the need for intensifying traffic awareness programs involving students, their parents and school authorities.