A shopper is seen approaching an opening in the iron fence on the D-Ring Road to cross over to the other side yesterday. Abdul Basit

DOHA: An Arab national suffered severe injuries in his head and was rushed to hospital after he was hit by a speeding car while crossing the road near LuLu Hypermarket last evening.

The driver of the car, which was a Camry, was also an Arab national. He suffered injuries too, but was described to be out of danger, while the condition of the man who was hit was critical.

The accident took place on D-Ring Road and the man was knocked down just as he was to step onto the divider where the authorities put up an iron fencing years ago since a lot of mishaps were taking place.

The road bends a bit near the spot of the accident, so sometimes it is difficult for people crossing the road to see vehicles speeding up from the direction of The Mall roundabout where traffic lights have been installed a few years ago.

People especially coming in from the airport’s direction prefer to cross over the road to go to LuLu Hypermarket. Similarly, those returning from the hypermarket after shopping and heading towards airport and surrounding areas, cross over the fence.

An inlet has been made into the iron fence in violation of rules at least at two places — one opposite the office of Dar Al Sharq; the other opposite LuLu Hypermarket — and people can be seen crossing the road anytime of the day.

The practice is frequent in the evenings, particularly, as a lot of people go shopping to LuLu Hypermarket. “This is a death spot,” a passerby said of the place where the accident took place yesterday. He said that a number of accidents had taken place here over the past few years.

According to him, given the number of people who cross the road from either direction every day, the authorities should build a pedestrian over-bridge here just like the one which earlier existed near Ras Abu Aboud flyover on C Ring Road.

“This is the only fool-proof way to stop accidents from taking place,” said the passerby.