Counselling for girl who saw brother and mother fall to death

As the girl was sitting beside her seriously injured brother, holding his hand and crying, she witnessed her mother fall.

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DUBAI //The 14-year-old girl who witnessed her brother and mother fall to their deaths will receive counselling to help to deal with the trauma.

"The girl is in shock and is in a really bad condition," said Lt Col Ahmed Al Merri, of Dubai Police CID.

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The girl was waiting for her school bus when she saw her five-year-old brother plunge to his death from their living room window.

As the girl was sitting beside her seriously injured brother, holding his hand and crying, she witnessed her mother fall.

"The girl is currently with a family member and we will offer her counselling through our victim continuity programme but we wait for her father's approval," said Lt Col Al Merri.

The father was expected to return from Iran yesterday.

The victim continuity initiative, which was launched in July 2004, provides moral support for the victims of accidents and crimes.

It also provides assistance on case procedures and follows up with the victim until any cases reach courts.

It is supervised by a team of six officers from CID. There is also a unit in each police station to deal with cases.

Police also said that they will offer any help to the family, including organising repatriation of the bodies.

* Wafa Issa