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4 childhood friends who grew up in UAE die together in India crash
Ashwani Kumar, Sherouk Zakaria/Abu Dhabi
Filed on October 8, 2017 | Last updated on October 8, 2017 at 06.20 am
The four students are reported to have succumbed to their injuries immediately after the accident.-Supplied photo
A truck from the opposite direction rammed into their car, killing all four on the spot.
Four friends, who did their schooling in the UAE, lost their lives in a road accident in India early on Friday. These friends, who had spent their childhood together in the UAE, were together in their last ride, too.
Joel Jacob, Nikhith Job, Jeena Yaldo and Rebecca Thomas - all from the south Indian state of Kerala - were set for a short get-together when the car in which they were traveling met with an accident on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway.
According to a relative, Joel had gone to pick the trio from the airport and it was on their return journey that the unfortunate incident happened.
There are various versions reported in the Indian media as to how the accident happened. In a likely scenario, the car, which was being driven by Joseph, hit a divider and flipped over. A truck from the opposite direction rammed into the car and all four died on the spot.
BUDDIES ALL THE WAY: (right to left) Jeena and Rebecca, Joel, Nikhith
A relative said there was an eyewitness to the accident. "His version was that Joel fell asleep and lost control of the car. Nothing can be said with certainty," the relative said.
Police investigation is going on in the case.
Parents shattered
Relatives said the students' parents were "completely shattered". In fact, Rebecca's parents were supposed to be in Bengaluru to pick her up on Friday but have now had to return with her body.
"Parents of Jeena and Nikhith completed the formalities on Friday and returned with their bodies by evening. They were unbearable scenes," a relative said.
Three of the students were raised in Fujairah.
Rebecca was a student of Our Own English High School in Dubai; Jeena and Nikhith of Our Own English High School Fujairah; and Joel from St Mary's Catholic School Fujairah.
Rebecca, Jeena and Nikhith were studying at Vellore Institute of Technology in Tamil Nadu and Jacob was at Rajarajeswari Medical College on Mysuru Road, Bengaluru.
They were all stars, say teachers
The deceased students' teachers in the UAE are in a state of shock. Duglas Joseph, a teacher at Our Own English School Fujairah, said he was very disturbed with the loss of lives of the students, "who were very lively and always up for any challenge".
"The first person who comes to my mind is Jeena Yaldo. She was an all-rounder. Jeena was excellent at everything she used to do. Jeena was the school sports captain and a very good dancer, too," Duglas said.
He noted that Jeena was a friendly person who always had a smile on her face.
"She used to perform in our school annual day programmes. She was a star not only in the school but in the cultural programmes held by social clubs and Indian associations here," the teacher said.
"She was a jovial character and multi-talented student," Duglas said, and added that it was hard for him or other teachers to believe the tragic news of her demise.
Jeena had passed out of the school clinching the 'all-rounder' title. Photographs on social media websites show the Yaldos as a one big happy family.
Talking about Nitish Job, Duglas said: "Nikhith was your reserved type. He was a pious soul and had a very calm nature."
A glance at Nikhith's Facebook page showed him to be a passionate football fan. His Facebook profile URL goes by the name: Nikhith.neymar and he has photos of greats like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, among others.
The teacher also knew Joel Jacob well, despite the fact that he studied in a different school. "Fujairah is a small place and these students were popular here. Joel was a good badminton and football player. All these children used to take part in inter-school competitions."
Meanwhile, Joel's teacher Suresh Thomas said St Mary's School had lost a member of their family.
"Sad and sorrowful day for St Mary's School family Fujairah. We love you, dear, you will be remembered always in our hearts, Joel. We miss you dear, with tears. May his soul rest in peace and God give strength to Joel's parents and all family members," Suresh said.
'Joel played football with us just last week'
Father Arul Sekar, principal of St Mary's School in Fujairah, said Joel Jacob will be remembered for being an active and excellent student. "We have never seen him sad. He was always active and positive."
Sekar noted that Jacob had visited the school a week ago and played football with some of his teachers. He had left the school after grade 10 to pursue his secondary school and higher studies in India.
"We will hold a prayer service at the school dedicated to his memory. It is very sad news and (Jacob) will forever be remembered."
Outpour of shock and grief
The news of four youngsters losing their lives in road accident was met with shock and sadness. And it was an outpour of condolences messages in social media websites.
Joel Jacob, Nikhith Job, Jeena Yaldo and Rebecca Thomas - all of whom had done their schooling in Fujairah and Dubai had died in an accident in India.
Since three youngsters were active members of social circle in Fujairah, Sri Prabha wrote on Facebook page: "A gloomy day for Fujairah. Rest in peace dear children."
Rajesh Divakaran, a Fujairah resident, wrote: "Last time when I met her, Jeena said that she will make cake and invite me."
Sharmila Kumar was distraught as Nikhith was her son's classmate.
"May their soul rest in peace. May God give enough strength to their parents," she said.
Shivaprakash Nair said the youngsters "were raised before our eyes and had grew up with my kids."
Many noted the youngsters would continue to live in their hearts.
Liju Mathew said: "Our dearest Joel will be in our heart always."
Simon Samuel said: "They are still alive in our hearts and minds, through us, they live on. Condolences, you will not be forgotten."
Friends and relatives lend a crying shoulder to the parents of the deceased.
"Heart felt sympathies to their families, may God give strength n courage to the families to bear this loss," Cleeta Dsouza said.
Balachandran Padmanabhan wrote: "May God give the courage to their parents in these difficult times."
Veda Murthy prayed for a "place in heaven" for the four talent children.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com
Ashwani Kumar, Sherouk Zakaria/Abu Dhabi
Filed on October 8, 2017 | Last updated on October 8, 2017 at 06.20 am
The four students are reported to have succumbed to their injuries immediately after the accident.-Supplied photo
A truck from the opposite direction rammed into their car, killing all four on the spot.
Four friends, who did their schooling in the UAE, lost their lives in a road accident in India early on Friday. These friends, who had spent their childhood together in the UAE, were together in their last ride, too.
Joel Jacob, Nikhith Job, Jeena Yaldo and Rebecca Thomas - all from the south Indian state of Kerala - were set for a short get-together when the car in which they were traveling met with an accident on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway.
According to a relative, Joel had gone to pick the trio from the airport and it was on their return journey that the unfortunate incident happened.
There are various versions reported in the Indian media as to how the accident happened. In a likely scenario, the car, which was being driven by Joseph, hit a divider and flipped over. A truck from the opposite direction rammed into the car and all four died on the spot.
BUDDIES ALL THE WAY: (right to left) Jeena and Rebecca, Joel, Nikhith
A relative said there was an eyewitness to the accident. "His version was that Joel fell asleep and lost control of the car. Nothing can be said with certainty," the relative said.
Police investigation is going on in the case.
Parents shattered
Relatives said the students' parents were "completely shattered". In fact, Rebecca's parents were supposed to be in Bengaluru to pick her up on Friday but have now had to return with her body.
"Parents of Jeena and Nikhith completed the formalities on Friday and returned with their bodies by evening. They were unbearable scenes," a relative said.
Three of the students were raised in Fujairah.
Rebecca was a student of Our Own English High School in Dubai; Jeena and Nikhith of Our Own English High School Fujairah; and Joel from St Mary's Catholic School Fujairah.
Rebecca, Jeena and Nikhith were studying at Vellore Institute of Technology in Tamil Nadu and Jacob was at Rajarajeswari Medical College on Mysuru Road, Bengaluru.
They were all stars, say teachers
The deceased students' teachers in the UAE are in a state of shock. Duglas Joseph, a teacher at Our Own English School Fujairah, said he was very disturbed with the loss of lives of the students, "who were very lively and always up for any challenge".
"The first person who comes to my mind is Jeena Yaldo. She was an all-rounder. Jeena was excellent at everything she used to do. Jeena was the school sports captain and a very good dancer, too," Duglas said.
He noted that Jeena was a friendly person who always had a smile on her face.
"She used to perform in our school annual day programmes. She was a star not only in the school but in the cultural programmes held by social clubs and Indian associations here," the teacher said.
"She was a jovial character and multi-talented student," Duglas said, and added that it was hard for him or other teachers to believe the tragic news of her demise.
Jeena had passed out of the school clinching the 'all-rounder' title. Photographs on social media websites show the Yaldos as a one big happy family.
Talking about Nitish Job, Duglas said: "Nikhith was your reserved type. He was a pious soul and had a very calm nature."
A glance at Nikhith's Facebook page showed him to be a passionate football fan. His Facebook profile URL goes by the name: Nikhith.neymar and he has photos of greats like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, among others.
The teacher also knew Joel Jacob well, despite the fact that he studied in a different school. "Fujairah is a small place and these students were popular here. Joel was a good badminton and football player. All these children used to take part in inter-school competitions."
Meanwhile, Joel's teacher Suresh Thomas said St Mary's School had lost a member of their family.
"Sad and sorrowful day for St Mary's School family Fujairah. We love you, dear, you will be remembered always in our hearts, Joel. We miss you dear, with tears. May his soul rest in peace and God give strength to Joel's parents and all family members," Suresh said.
'Joel played football with us just last week'
Father Arul Sekar, principal of St Mary's School in Fujairah, said Joel Jacob will be remembered for being an active and excellent student. "We have never seen him sad. He was always active and positive."
Sekar noted that Jacob had visited the school a week ago and played football with some of his teachers. He had left the school after grade 10 to pursue his secondary school and higher studies in India.
"We will hold a prayer service at the school dedicated to his memory. It is very sad news and (Jacob) will forever be remembered."
Outpour of shock and grief
The news of four youngsters losing their lives in road accident was met with shock and sadness. And it was an outpour of condolences messages in social media websites.
Joel Jacob, Nikhith Job, Jeena Yaldo and Rebecca Thomas - all of whom had done their schooling in Fujairah and Dubai had died in an accident in India.
Since three youngsters were active members of social circle in Fujairah, Sri Prabha wrote on Facebook page: "A gloomy day for Fujairah. Rest in peace dear children."
Rajesh Divakaran, a Fujairah resident, wrote: "Last time when I met her, Jeena said that she will make cake and invite me."
Sharmila Kumar was distraught as Nikhith was her son's classmate.
"May their soul rest in peace. May God give enough strength to their parents," she said.
Shivaprakash Nair said the youngsters "were raised before our eyes and had grew up with my kids."
Many noted the youngsters would continue to live in their hearts.
Liju Mathew said: "Our dearest Joel will be in our heart always."
Simon Samuel said: "They are still alive in our hearts and minds, through us, they live on. Condolences, you will not be forgotten."
Friends and relatives lend a crying shoulder to the parents of the deceased.
"Heart felt sympathies to their families, may God give strength n courage to the families to bear this loss," Cleeta Dsouza said.
Balachandran Padmanabhan wrote: "May God give the courage to their parents in these difficult times."
Veda Murthy prayed for a "place in heaven" for the four talent children.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com
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