{
  "id": 18310954,
  "title": "UAE off-roading pioneer and Gulf News Fun Drive hero dies in Dubai aged 59",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/uae-off-roading-pioneer-and-gulf-news-fun-drive-hero-dies-in-dubai",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T13:14:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/uae/uae-off-roading-pioneer-and-gulf-news-fun-drive-hero-dies-in-dubai-aged-59-1.500737279"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dubai: Mitchell Perera, a prominent figure in the UAE's off-roading and camping community and a long-serving marshal of the Gulf News Fun Drive, passed away in Dubai on Wednesday at the age of 59, his family disclosed to Gulf News on Thursday. Diagnosed with a heart valve leak following a hospitalization for high blood sugar levels, Mitch endured a challenging recovery from open-heart surgery that left him with breathing difficulties, kidney dysfunction, and lung complications. Despite exhibiting partial recovery and participating in rehabilitation, his health deteriorated rapidly due to internal bleeding, ultimately resulting in his untimely demise. His wife and son, who reside in Germany, and his elderly parents in Sri Lanka, aged 85 and over 90, are coping with their profound loss. Mitch, the only child, was celebrated for his unwavering dedication to off-roading and camping, having been an early pioneer in the local community and having journeyed to the United States to further his passion for automobiles.",
  "summary": "Dubai: Mitchell Perera, a well-known figure in the UAE's off-roading and camping community and a veteran marshal of Gulf News' annual Fun Drive, died in Dubai on Wednesday, his family told Gulf News on Thursday. Popularly known as Mitch, he was 59. He died after battling complications following open-heart surgery on August 14, the family said. Mitch is survived by his wife and son, who live in…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}