Anton Tahmasian, a pupil at The English College in Dubai, collapsed at a party and died later in hospital.
Anton Tahmasian, a pupil at The English College in Dubai, collapsed at a party and died later in hospital.

Graduation party turns to tragedy as youth, 16, dies



DUBAI // A memorial service was held yesterday for a teenage boy who collapsed at a Dubai house party and died soon after in hospital. Anton Tahmasian, 16, a pupil at The English College, Dubai, fell ill during a graduation party in a villa in the gated community Sidra Village, according to witnesses. He was rushed to hospital but died soon after arrival.

One witness told how the party on Thursday night turned to tragedy. "I saw all the kids running out and panicking, some of them were crying outside by the pool," said the witness, who declined to give his name. "We found the boy on the floor and someone screaming for police." Neither officers from the Bur Dubai police station nor the school would comment on the death. More than 50 people, including friends and family, attended the service at the English College's auditorium yesterday afternoon.

A friend who was present at the memorial said: "It was really tragic to hear what happened. I knew Anton well and our families knew each other for several years. They are really sad." Anton's family and younger sister, Karmen, were being consoled yesterday by teachers and classmates at their home in the Greens Community. Friends have reacted with dismay at the loss of the popular student. One friend, Gabi Cohen, said: "All I can tell you was that Anton was an incredibly special person, he has changed and touched the lives of so many people.

"[He] was the life of all the parties and there are no words to describe how much we are all going to miss him." Hundreds have also paid tribute on a Facebook page set up in his memory. Friends have posted photos of Anton, a skilled rugby player and keen scuba diver, out on the field with his English College rugby team and lazing about in the pool. Andrew Alosina Fa'avale posted: "Played against Anton & EC at touch finals last Tues. Disbelief! Coached Anton at EC a couple of times and watched him play rugby from afar this year and became a massive fan - natural skill balanced with heaps of heart. RIP and God bless to his family."

In another message, Maya McNicholas said: "Lived next door to Anton for over seven years and we practically grew up together. He had the biggest heart I have ever seen in a person. He lived passionately and did everything in his power to make everyone around him smile. I consider myself lucky to have been able to share in his beautiful life. Love you forever Anton and see you again one day. You're always in my heart. God bless you."

Fleur Van Rhyn-behm wrote: "This doesn't seem real, a few months ago we were camping in the desert and driving away from some guy chasing us out of big red, I will never forget that. I'm going to miss you." Amanda Adams wrote: "I never thought i'd have to say goodbye so soon, no one did. you were always so bright, and full of life, its a real shame...even though I wasnt the closest of mates, I can still be proud to have spent time with you."

Last night, more than 1,000 people had joined the Facebook group to offer condolences. @Email:mdetrie@thenational.ae pmenon@thenational.ae amustafa@thenational.ae

Company Profile 

Founder: Omar Onsi

Launched: 2018

Employees: 35

Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)

Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

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Tuesday's fixtures
Group A
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
Iran v Uzbekistan, 8pm
N Korea v UAE, 10.15pm
How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

'Gold'

Director:Anthony Hayes

Stars:Zaf Efron, Anthony Hayes

Rating:3/5

THE BIO

Bio Box

Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul

Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader

Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet

Favorite food: seafood

Favorite place to travel: Lebanon

Favorite movie: Braveheart

Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.

A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.

Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.

A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.

On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.

The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.

Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.

The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later. 

The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler

Price, base / as tested Dh57,000

Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine

Transmission Six-speed gearbox

Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm

Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km

Race card

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m

Poacher
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Skewed figures

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458. 

NO OTHER LAND

Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal

Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham

Rating: 3.5/5

FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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