Emirati Soldier Dies in Oman Crash During Salalah Road Trip
Tragic Haima accident claims life of 70-year-old UAE soldier; wife critically injured as family getaway turns heartbreaking.
What was meant to be a scenic weekend getaway to Salalah ended in unimaginable tragedy for one Emirati family.
Mohammad Faraj, a 70-year-old retired UAE Armed Forces veteran, lost his life in a devastating car crash on Oman’s Haima road on Saturday, August 2.
The accident occurred while he was traveling with his wife and daughter for a short vacation during the Khareef season, a popular time for UAE residents to visit Salalah for its cooler weather and lush landscapes.
“My father had passed away at around 2pm. I received a call at 4pm from the authorities informing me of the incident,” said Sabri Al Tamimi, one of Faraj’s six children, in a statement to Khaleej Times.
The collision, which happened on a two-lane stretch of highway, involved a head-on crash between the family’s black SUV and another car driven by an Omani citizen—who also died in the accident. Graphic video footage circulating online shows the two vehicles slamming into each other at high speed from opposite directions.
Faraj succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. His 69-year-old wife, Fathima Al Hashmi, remains in critical condition at a medical facility in Oman but is reportedly showing signs of recovery. Their 42-year-old daughter, who was also in the vehicle, was unharmed.
The family expects Faraj’s body to be repatriated by Sunday evening or Monday, with burial arrangements planned in Dubai, where the family lives.
“We are all in shock as of now. Our family is still grappling with the news. My father was a great man,” Sabri shared, visibly heartbroken.
Faraj dedicated 27 years of his life to serving in the UAE Armed Forces and was widely respected for his courage and service. He was also a two-time cancer warrior—first diagnosed in 1989 and battling a recurrence in recent years. His wife, too, had survived a five-year fight with breast cancer.
The couple’s love for their country was deeply rooted. In 2012, during the UAE’s 41st National Day (also their 41st wedding anniversary), they hand-stitched a 25-metre-long UAE flag to hang on their villa in Mirdif as a tribute to the nation’s leaders and the care they received during their treatments.
This incident comes amid growing concerns over road safety on routes leading to Salalah. With more UAE residents choosing to travel by car during the Khareef season, authorities have repeatedly urged the public to drive responsibly and observe speed limits.
The tragedy follows a deadly multi-car crash on July 11 in Dhofar Governorate, where five people—including three Emiratis—lost their lives. The victims included Fujairah police officer Rashid Gharib Al Yamahi, his wife, and his mother-in-law. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated medical evacuation for survivors in that incident.
In a separate 2019 crash, an Indian family of four met a similar fate on their way back from Salalah, with only one child surviving.
As the region continues to mourn yet another loss, officials reiterate the need for increased caution on Omani highways, especially during high-traffic seasons.