Lifeguard jumps to death

A young lifeguard, whose job was to save lives at a popular water park in Dubai, has ended his life by jumping from the fourth floor balcony of his staff accommodation. The deceased has been identified as Nepalese national A.K., and the incident took place at a building in the phase 1 of the Al Khail Gate Community in Al Quoz on Sunday afternoon. His suicide took place at a time the Wild Wadi Water Park, where he was employed, was closed for annual maintenance for 20 days from January 11 to 31. According to neighbours, A.K. took the extreme step when one of his roommates was asleep in their room on the topmost floor of the building which has been rented by the Jumeirah Group for housing its staff. “He jumped from the balcony facing the road and fell on the interlock-paved ground,” said one of them. He said the lifeguard had died before the Dubai Police and ambulances reached the scene within minutes after receiving a call from the building’s security. In a statement to Khaleej Times, General Manager of Wild Wadi Water Park Chris Perry confirmed the incident. “Out of respect for the privacy of the people who work for us, we do not comment on personal details… The company is liaising with the authorities while they are concluding their enquiry. The body of the deceased will be released as soon (as) the necessary formalities are completed, probably next week. Once the body is released, we will organise a service so that people can pay their respects, then the body will be repatriated to the colleague’s home country and handed over to his family. Our thoughts are with the friends and family of the deceased,” the statement added. Dubai - Khaleej times