4 childhood friends who grew up in UAE die together in India crash

Parents shattered

Relatives said the students' parents were "completely shattered". In fact, Rebecca's parents were supposed to be in Bengaluru to pick her up on Friday but have now had to return with her body.

"Parents of Jeena and Nikhith completed the formalities on Friday and returned with their bodies by evening. They were unbearable scenes," a relative said.

Three of the students were raised in Fujairah.

Rebecca was a student of Our Own English High School in Dubai; Jeena and Nikhith of Our Own English High School Fujairah; and Joel from St Mary's Catholic School Fujairah.

Rebecca, Jeena and Nikhith were studying at Vellore Institute of Technology in Tamil Nadu and Jacob was at Rajarajeswari Medical College on Mysuru Road, Bengaluru.

They were all stars, say teachers

The deceased students' teachers in the UAE are in a state of shock. Duglas Joseph, a teacher at Our Own English School Fujairah, said he was very disturbed with the loss of lives of the students, "who were very lively and always up for any challenge".

"The first person who comes to my mind is Jeena Yaldo. She was an all-rounder. Jeena was excellent at everything she used to do. Jeena was the school sports captain and a very good dancer, too," Duglas said.

He noted that Jeena was a friendly person who always had a smile on her face.

"She used to perform in our school annual day programmes. She was a star not only in the school but in the cultural programmes held by social clubs and Indian associations here," the teacher said.

"She was a jovial character and multi-talented student," Duglas said, and added that it was hard for him or other teachers to believe the tragic news of her demise.

Jeena had passed out of the school clinching the 'all-rounder' title. Photographs on social media websites show the Yaldos as a one big happy family.

Talking about Nitish Job, Duglas said: "Nikhith was your reserved type. He was a pious soul and had a very calm nature."

A glance at Nikhith's Facebook page showed him to be a passionate football fan. His Facebook profile URL goes by the name: Nikhith.neymar and he has photos of greats like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, among others.

The teacher also knew Joel Jacob well, despite the fact that he studied in a different school. "Fujairah is a small place and these students were popular here. Joel was a good badminton and football player. All these children used to take part in inter-school competitions."

Meanwhile, Joel's teacher Suresh Thomas said St Mary's School had lost a member of their family.

"Sad and sorrowful day for St Mary's School family Fujairah. We love you, dear, you will be remembered always in our hearts, Joel. We miss you dear, with tears. May his soul rest in peace and God give strength to Joel's parents and all family members," Suresh said.

'Joel played football with us just last week'

Father Arul Sekar, principal of St Mary's School in Fujairah, said Joel Jacob will be remembered for being an active and excellent student. "We have never seen him sad. He was always active and positive."

Sekar noted that Jacob had visited the school a week ago and played football with some of his teachers. He had left the school after grade 10 to pursue his secondary school and higher studies in India.

"We will hold a prayer service at the school dedicated to his memory. It is very sad news and (Jacob) will forever be remembered."

Outpour of shock and grief

The news of four youngsters losing their lives in road accident was met with shock and sadness. And it was an outpour of condolences messages in social media websites.

Joel Jacob, Nikhith Job, Jeena Yaldo and Rebecca Thomas - all of whom had done their schooling in Fujairah and Dubai had died in an accident in India.

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