A routine metro ride turned eventful for a Dubai Metro commuter when a fellow passenger had a seizure and fell inside the coach shortly after departing from Business Bay station with the next stop scheduled at Onpassive.
Opting to remain anonymous, the UAE resident recounted that the incident took place about 10 days ago on a packed train. After a passenger collapsed, several riders immediately rushed to assist.
Since it was a longer stretch between stations, many commuters were anxious for the unwell passenger. Although unaware of the proper protocol, some passengers pushed the emergency button to alert metro staff and offered water to drink.
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“We didn’t know what to do and pressed the emergency button. We were worried for the person,” the expat said. “I’d like to know if the emergency button is meant to notify staff that immediate assistance is required or if emergency attention is only provided at the next station.”
Just as the train arrived at Onpassive, the passenger regained consciousness, much to the relief of his fellow commuters. He then disembarked at the station. Metro staff also came and inquired if any emergency assistance was required.
Khaleej Times contacted Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to seek clarification on the emergency procedures within the metro system and the protocol commuters should follow.
According to the email statement, if a passenger is not feeling well and requires special assistance, fellow passengers may contact the station staff, and they will be ready to provide the needed assistance.
Passengers can report any emergency using the Emergency Call Box (ECB) installed on each Dubai Metro trains. Although there is no first aid kit inside the trains, the attendants on board are fully trained to handle all kinds of emergency situations.
The metro stations are equipped with First Aid rooms and maintain close contact with ambulance services. The typical time between stations is around two to three minutes, and in case of an emergency, a patient can be moved for assistance within approximately 10 minutes.
The statement also stated that “eating and drinking on Dubai Metro and Tram is prohibited.” However, a similar incident occurred in 2011 when a commuter fainted onboard, and attendants did not permit others to offer water. At the time, Ramadan Abdullah, the then RTA’s Director of Metro Operations, clarified to Khaleej Times that while food and drinks are generally prohibited on trains, “when a commuter is unwell and needs water, nobody would stop the person from drinking.”
He clarified that these restrictions on food and drinks are in place to maintain cleanliness and ensure safety. Spills, such as water or juice, could potentially cause accidents, and if someone slips, it might lead to further emergencies.