Driver in school guard death hit accelerator pedal by mistake

The tragedy happened outside Universal American School in Dubai on Monday

Flowers have been left outside the gates of the school. Antonie Robertson / The National
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A woman who ran over and killed a school security guard accidentally hit her car’s accelerator while trying to make a U-turn, a police source has said.

Eyewitnesses described seeing the victim, named locally as Lil Bahador Pariyar, knocked to the ground along with a stop sign after being hit by a Land Rover.

Shocked pupils and parents outside Universal American School (UAS) in Festival City, Dubai, rushed to assist the man.

The driver of the vehicle, a mother with two pupils at the school, is understood to have been with her husband at the time of the accident.

"He [the security guard] was standing in front of a stop sign near the school's gate when the car hit him," one witness told The National.

“The sign fell under the car’s front bumper while he fell to the ground. Another guard started screaming loudly asking for the school’s nurse to come.

“They [the mother and husband] were obviously in shock. Their children didn’t come to school the next morning.”

The tragic accident occurred at around 2.50pm on Monday just as parents arrived at the school to collect their children.

Police are continuing to investigate the incident while well-wishers have left floral tributes to the guard - who is understood to have been Nepalese - at the scene.

Pariyar was described as a kind and well liked member of the school staff. The National
Pariyar was described as a kind and well liked member of the school staff. The National

“An unfortunate incident took place outside the school gates of UAS on Monday afternoon, which sadly resulted in the passing of one of our security guards," a statement from UAS said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the security guard and the rest of the security team at this difficult time and we are offering our full support.”

“The woman was attempting a U-turn outside the school when she hit her car’s accelerator instead of the brake,” a police source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The victim is believed to have died at the scene.