JEDDAH, 16 November 2003 — A Sadafco milk delivery truck carrying empty milk crates was overturned in Al-Ashtar Street yesterday in Al-Faisaliah district behind the Arab News building.
The other vehicle involved was a Chevrolet passenger car. The truck blocked the street for an hour until righted by two tow-trucks.
The driver of the milk truck, Naeemuddin from Kerala, told Arab News that he had passed the intersection with Shawwalah Street when “I was hit by the car which turned the truck over.”
Eyewitnesses alleged that the Chevrolet turned into Al-Ashtar Street and “bumped into the truck” with sufficient force to turn it over. The car, its front end heavily compacted, ended its journey less than two car lengths from the intersection, leaving a meter or so of skid marks.
The driver of the Chevrolet, who identified himself only as Muhammad, accused the truck of speeding in the narrow road. Naeemuddin, however, contended that it was the car which was speeding. Neither driver was injured beyond severe shaking and bruises.
The junction of Al-Ashtar and Shawwalah Streets, where Arab News building is located, is well-known locally for the number of near misses between speeding vehicles.
