Overturned truck causes gridlock on SZR

Vehicles are reportedly at a standstill on Sheikh Zayed Road this morning, southbound towards Abu Dhabi.

(Omran@ Twitter)

According to reports by commuters on social media, a truck has reportedly overturned on the busy highway, near the Dubai-Abu Dhabi border, causing three lanes to be closed to traffic in the process.

The accident reportedly occurred around 6.30am near Ghantoot, with commuters complaining of gridlock and multiple crashes in its wake nearly two hours later, with traffic backed up until Jebel Ali.

Others are also reporting several drivers breaking the law and driving on the hard shoulder as delays continue.

(Mohammad @ Twitter)

At 6.30am, an eyewitness reported on Twitter: “Overturned lorry just after Jebel Ali towards Abu Dhabi only one lane open.”

An hour later, Molara tweeted: “If you were planning on driving from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, I’d suggest you wait another hour.  Huge traffic delays starting from Jebel Ali.”

Several others have reported, traffic is queuing from before Expo 2020 billboard on E11, with Twitter handle Trafficdxb reporting five other minor crashes leading up to the main crash.

Omran tweeted a picture, reporting people breaking the law saying: “Traffic jam near Dubai-Abu Dhabi border; people taking hard shoulder.”

While details of the crash are still unclear, Abu Dhabi Police had warned morning commuters of low visibility on Wednesday morning, tweeting on its official Twitter account: “Low visibility due to fog formation on different parts in Abu Dhabi and highways. Motorists are urged to take extra caution.”

Meanwhile, further down heavy traffic is also being reported on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (SMBZR) when approaching the Dubai Investments Park roundabout towards Abu Dhabi.

Another crash is also being reported on SMBZR opposite the Dubai Taxi Corporation, heading south towards Abu Dhabi, causing congestion.

Eyewitnesses said it was a truck transporting onions, which turned over and spilled its goods across the busy highway.

Hash P tweeted: “Major accident on Dubai-Abu Dhabi road. People in tears. Onion truck overturned and many onions crushed!”

Lizzi Stead tweeted: “Truck over turned near Ghantoot,” confirming on her account that it was truck ferrying onions that has caused the morning gridlock.

From the images, crates of onions appear to be marooned by the side of E11, with Dubai Municipality workers present to clear up the debris.

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