By Staff Reporter
Fujairah — A 25-year-old Ethiopian domestic worker has been praised for her bravery after protecting a seven-year-old boy who fell with her into a deep well in Fujairah.
The woman suffered a fractured leg in the incident but refused to release the child, holding on to him until emergency teams arrived.
The accident happened at about 3.30pm on Saturday, October 3, in the Merashid area, when the cover over the well collapsed as the boy and the domestic worker stood on it.
According to a relative of the boy, the child was visiting his maternal family with his mother. Because he is hyperactive, the family had assigned two domestic workers to supervise him and ensure he stayed away from dangerous areas.
The Ethiopian worker had recently started working for the family and did not know that the well was located behind the house.
The well had been covered with wooden boards and stone slabs, which gave way under the combined weight of the child and the worker.
Both fell into the well.
Despite suffering a serious leg injury, the worker immediately held on to the boy and used a metal structure inside the well to support herself and prevent them from falling further.
She then began calling for help.
Her cries were heard by the second domestic worker, who was asleep during her lunch break. She rushed to the scene and contacted police and emergency services.
When police, Fujairah Civil Defence and National Ambulance teams arrived, the injured worker ensured that the child was taken out of the well first before allowing rescuers to extract her.
Both were taken to hospital for treatment.
The boy was discharged the following day after doctors confirmed that he was in good health.
The Ethiopian domestic worker remains at Fujairah Hospital receiving treatment for her fractured leg.
Fujairah Civil Defence Deputy Director Colonel Khalid Rabie Al Hammoudi visited the boy’s family at their home and later visited the injured worker in hospital.
Al Hammoudi checked on their recovery and commended the worker’s courage while wishing both the child and the domestic worker a speedy recovery.
Following the incident, the family strengthened security around the well by installing a metal cover, gate and protective barrier to prevent people from approaching the area.
Fujairah Civil Defence has urged homeowners, farmers and landowners to ensure wells are securely covered and protected with barriers and clearly visible warning signs.
The authority warned that unsecured wells pose a serious risk to children and adults and urged property owners to take preventive measures to avoid potentially fatal accidents.
