A "bright, intelligent" young teacher from Ireland has been killed in a horror bus crash in Dubai that claimed the lives of 17 people.
Fiona Geraghty, 27, was travelling to Muscat, Oman, with her boyfriend when the vehicle smashed into a sign warning drivers about maximum vehicle heights.
It's understood that her boyfriend suffered internal injuries, but is recovering at Rashid Hospital.
Officials later said the bus drove straight into a low-clearance sign, following a "simple error or negligence during driving."
The driver, a man in his 50s, is among seven people injured in the crash who are being treated in hospital, reports Dublin Live.
Fiona was a teacher at St Mologa’s Senior National School in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin, but was on a year out and in Dubai with her partner when last night's fatal crash occurred.
A friend paid tribute to her pal, telling the Irish Independent: "Fiona’s parents were in Lanzarote celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary when they got the call yesterday that their pride and joy was gone.
“She was a lovely, bright, young, intelligent girl, who loved life.
"Fiona was just out in Dubai for a year with her boyfriend trying to save. I’m just devastated. I feel for her family - I’m numb.”
The couple, who reportedly met in college, had been teaching at the School of Research Science in Al Warqa, Dubai.
The coach was carrying 31 passengers when it crashed in Al Rashidiya district near Dubai Airport.
Police Chief Maj Gen Abdullah Al Marri said people lost their lives because of a "simple error or negligence during driving".
He added: "Sometimes a simple error or negligence during driving leads to serious consequences, as happened this evening, and resulted in the deaths of 17 people of different nationalities."
A pal also wrote on Facebook: "Can't stop thinking about this absolute tradgedy. Life is so cruel sometimes. RIP Fiona. Taken far too soon."
It's understood that Fiona and her partner met when they were both students at St Patrick’s College Drumcondra.
A photo posted on Twitter by Dubai Police shows the wrecked shell of the vehicle. The roof of the left side of the bus appeared to have been severely damaged while the right side remained mostly still intact.
Dubai Police Chief Maj Gen Abdullah Al Marri described it as a "tragic incident that led to the death of innocent people."
He added: "Sometimes a simple error or negligence during driving leads to serious consequences, as happened this evening, and resulted in the deaths of 17 people of different nationalities."
Bus company Mwasalat, which runs the service twice a day, said in a statement: "Our valued customers, we would like to inform you that our bus was involved in an unfortunate traffic accident at approximately 6pm local time (3pm BST) in Dubai.
"Mwasalat family expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.
"Mwsalat has paid great attention to the incident immediately on receipt of the news and has been in direct contact with the competent authorities in Dubai to look into the incident.
"Hence, our trips from Muscat and Dubai, and vice versa, will be suspended until further notice.
"Thus action has been taken after coordination with the Road and Transport Authority in Dubai. We apologise for any inconvenience this might cause."
