Dubai tragedy: 21-year-old Indian student killed while waiting for roadside assistance

Naifa Balkies Hameed, a student at Canadian University Dubai, was standing outside her car after it suffered a flat tyre and was waiting for roadside assistance when the accident occurred.

She had called her father to inform him that her car's tyre had gone flat while she was on her way to university, her uncle told Gulf News. It was one of her last conversations with her family.

Recalling the conversation, her uncle said her father, Binu Hameed, had advised her to call roadside assistance and take a taxi to university after her car was towed away.

However, when her father called her again five minutes later, she did not answer.

The family subsequently received a call from Dubai Police, who informed them about the fatal accident. Naifa reportedly died at the scene after being struck by a speeding car.

Naifa had recently travelled to Kerala with her family to attend a wedding. While most of the family members stayed back in the state for another ceremony, she and her mother returned to Dubai so that she would not miss her classes.

The Hameed family, originally from Thodupuzha in Kerala, had moved to Dubai to support Naifa's higher education, her uncle told the newspaper.

Remembering her, her uncle described her as a warm and thoughtful person who maintained close relationships with family and friends.

“She remembered the birthdays and wedding anniversaries of everyone and made a point of sending cards and gifts. She was friendly with everyone, especially young children,” he told Gulf News.