Expat teachers killed in Qatar dune buggy accident
Eamonn Morgan, from Northern Ireland, and his partner Charlotte Sant, from Manchester, were both enjoying a day out on Saturday when the tragedy occurred.
The couple, who were both in their mid-twenties, had moved to Doha last year where they were both working as teachers at the Compass International school.
They were killed when the vehicle they were travelling in veered off a steep incline on the sand dunes.
They were reported as being passengers in the vehicle which overturned, and two friends who were visiting from Ireland were also injured.
A keen footballer, Eamonn played with several GAA clubs in England and more recently with Qatar GAA.
Charlotte had also recently taken up the sport with the club.
In a statement last night, Qatar GAA chairperson Peter Crowe said they mourned the loss with a "heavy heart".
He said: "For the Irish abroad, a GAA club can offer much more than the team. It offers a sense of community, a sense of family, a home away from home, and Qatar GAA is no different.
"It's with a heavy heart that we mourn the loss of two of our members, two of our friends, two of our family.
"I had the privilege of playing with Eamonn for the past year, an absolute gent, never to be seen without a smile on his face and the definition of a 'character', as we'd say back home."
He described Charlotte as a "sweet girl".
A memorial mass was scheduled on Monday night at the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary in Barwa, according to Qatar GAA.
"After the mass, the priest has invited all to stay behind to pray for Charlotte and Eamonn, as well as for the speedy recovery of their two friends, visiting from home."
Off-roading in Qatar desert
Exploring the desert in a four-wheel drive vehicle, quad bike or dune buggy is a popular pastime in Qatar for both expats and nationals.
There are a number of tour operators who offer guided exploratory tours of the desert and evening or overnight safari camping.
Some tour operators offer desert driving lessons for beginner off-roaders, and there are a handful of off-road driving clubs for 4x4 enthusiasts.
Expats also use online forums to team up with other drivers as it is inadvisable to go off-roading without at least one other vehicle in convoy.
The dangers of this activity are well known and are explored indepth in this documentary by Jaser Alagha.
(Sources: independent.ie, FB)
Regards ............... Leelan ..............................Mon, 06.07.2015, 11.01 hrs
Regards ............... Leelan ..............................Mon, 06.07.2015, 11.01 hrs
Sure MM, catch you there...
Leelan ....... Wish to have your views here ......... thanks .......... Sun, 05.07.2015, 08.59 hrs
. http://www.qatarliving.com/forum/ramadan/posts/calls-reduce-over-consumption-during-ramadan
.
Leelan, Correct .......... Our life is like a air bubble ........... ...... for how many moments it may stay ............. yes , our wisdom & knowlegde does not work in front of His will .......... ............... ........................ ............... it's said our life structure is held up by the pillar which is made of wind ......... it may move off any moment ............ ............... Sun, 05.07.2015, 08.44 hrs
MM, you are perfectly right. Loosing a budding life in such circumstances is terrible to think of... I can only imagine what the family that lost the daughter might still be going through. AND the weirdest thing in this life is that we can never really be too cautious. A little relaxation and fun may just be the start of our journey to the world beyond. God save us.....
Leelan, If we are here for not making a mistake then we won't be going back for making any mistake ....We are under His order & watch ........ Life is a journey with Almighty's permssition ......... when our permit expires we must return honestly & willingly and happily as if we are taking a return journey via a new different route ................. We can look at it from so many different angles which suits us ............. ....... Sat, 04.07.2015, 08.33 hrs
I know a family who who lost their teen daughter a few years ago at the same place doing dune driving ......... now her parents are not driving even in the direction of even Wakra ............... forget Mesaieed & Sea Line Beach ............. ................ Sat, 04.07.2015, 08.22 hrs
Leelan, If we go from the past accidents .......... one will find it's due to vehicle went out of control meaning driver's skills are questionable ........... 2nd is physical health of the driver ......... 3rd is the condition of the vehicle itself ................ .......... With good control over the above three aspects will change the scene altogether ............... .........
Leelan ........ We all know when a group of young friends drive on a holiday it's natural exciting experience for most of us , it's thrill which affects us to take risks & prove our expertise in front of everybody while discovering & exploring and testing our abilities ............... Sat, 04.07.2015, 08.16 hrs
Now I'm confused
Dear Alamhakeem, I am sorry if this is going to add more sores to the wounds. I think so much is going wrong in the world today because we are too conscious of committing haram, and too shy to call a spade a spade, although we need to do this with charity. We do not glory in saying the above as such. I only think this makes us even more conscious of our weak selves as humans and ever more determined to safeguard this precious gift of life we have and hopefully let it come to its end in what we humanly would conceive as natural not induced as the case may be here. If speaking about this to learn from it makes me (us) commit haram, I would happily commit more haram and ask the master of the universe for pardon knowing equally well that he has commissioned me with an inherent call to protect my life and that of every fellow human being around me. I mean no hurt to the bereaved family, never my intention. All of these only affect us hopefully positively and create the right attitude as it means nothing to those who have come to the end of this life's journey.
My dear brothers please stop it it is haram.
Mass, Very meaningful comment although very short , Great ........................ .... Correct , Prize ........... Fri, 03.07.2015, 08.39 hrs
Be alert to your surroundings.
The life you may be saving, maybe your own.
It seems true MM.
Leelan , What else .............. Use of alcohol can't be ruled out when you are with your friends on a tour .. ........... Thu, 02.06.2015, 10.09 hrs
Molten, are u by this insinuating that they suffered death in the hands of inexperienced sand dune drivers or it was just that luck was not with them. I guess there is more to this than what meets the eye.
There might be instances where we give our cars to visiting relatives & friends ........ we must control our emotions in such sitations .......... Don't let newcomers drive in strange road conditions let alone a dune ride ..................... ....................... Wed, 01.07.2015, 08.27 hrs
Hopefully safety will be stepped up soon.
Reporters , Your pain is felt & equally shared here at QL ....... Have courage to face the truth my friends ......... we are with you ........ Wed, 01.07.2015, 08.05 hrs
Humbles , I understand your views but the Almighty is never mistaken ....... we have to bow & leave this world when there's call for us ......... Wed, 01.07.2015, 08.02 hrs
Leelan, Yes, It's like a farmer can cut his crop as & when he likes , he may or may not wait to get it ripen ........ we poor souls have no voice ................. Wed, 01.07.2015, 08.01 hrs
Being in the desert was only an excuse .......... actually that's what we call an order from above ....... we can't negotiate really ............ Wed, 01.07.2015, 08.00 hrs
In their mid 20s, its disheartening and sad. May their souls rest in peace
It's untimely departure from here for them ,RIP, they remained together forever.
Very sad news indeed. May their souls rest in peace.
A tragic loss for their family & friends ......... RIP ............ You 'll be rembered for your kind nature ........... Tue, 30.06.2015, 08.20 hrs
RIP
How sad. May they rest in peace