How Did a Mother and Her 15-Year-Old Son Die in a Rear-End Crash in Abu Dhabi?

What happened in Abu Dhabi?

An expatriate Bangladeshi mother and her teenage son were killed in a road crash in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, on Monday night, 12 October 2026. The woman's husband was injured and taken to hospital.

The crash happened in the Al Wathba area on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, at Al Wathba Exit-47 on Abu Dhabi's Al Ain Road.

Who were the victims?

• Ashima Chowdhury, 48
• Aritra Biswas, 15, her son

The family came from Purba Kadhurkhil village in Chattogram's Boalkhali Upazila, Bangladesh. Ashima worked at a travel agency in Abu Dhabi and was a well-known musician and social organiser in the Bangladeshi diaspora.

Her husband, Sourav Biswas, was driving the family car. He is an engineer who has lived in Abu Dhabi with his family for about 25 years and runs a construction business. The couple also have a daughter, who is studying at a university in Dubai Knowledge Park.

How the crash unfolded

According to a family friend and Abu Dhabi expatriate leader, Sajal Chowdhury, Sourav was driving his Toyota Yaris with his family to a family function in Al Wathba. When they reached Al Wathba Exit-47, a Nissan Safari four-wheeler hit their car from behind.

The mother and son died on the spot. Abu Dhabi police arrived, rescued the injured and took them to the local Mafraq Hospital, where doctors declared the mother and son dead and admitted the injured father for treatment.

What police have done

• Abu Dhabi police seized the vehicle involved in the crash.
• The driver of the other vehicle was arrested.
• The bodies of the mother and son were kept at the Baniyas Central Morgue in Abu Dhabi.
• The bodies were to be sent back to Bangladesh after the legal investigation and formalities were completed.

Why rear-end crashes are so dangerous

A vehicle struck from behind at speed can be pushed forward with great force, and the people inside have little chance to protect themselves. Rear-end collisions are among the most common crash types on high-speed roads, and they are often linked to following too closely or failing to notice slowing traffic ahead.

Keeping a safe following distance, watching for brake lights ahead and avoiding distractions give drivers the time they need to stop. On fast roads such as Al Ain Road, even a few extra metres of gap can be the difference between a near miss and a fatal impact.

Frequently asked questions

Where did the Abu Dhabi crash happen?

The crash happened at Al Wathba Exit-47 on Abu Dhabi's Al Ain Road, in the Al Wathba area on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, on the night of Monday 12 October 2026.

Who died in the Abu Dhabi crash?

Ashima Chowdhury, 48, and her son Aritra Biswas, 15, died on the spot after their Toyota Yaris was hit from behind by a Nissan Safari four-wheeler.

What happened to the father?

Sourav Biswas, who was driving the family car, was injured and admitted to Mafraq Hospital for treatment.

Has the other driver been held?

Abu Dhabi police seized the vehicle involved and arrested its driver. The bodies of the mother and son were to be returned to Bangladesh after legal formalities.