Latest news with #Aalia
Metro
19-05-2025
- Metro
Mum of student killed in Strand crash 'almost reached her' as she lay dying
The mum of a student killed in the Strand crash was just yards from her injured daughter, but unable to reach her as she lay on the ground dying. Aalia Mahomed, 20, died, and two others were injured when a van crashed into the pedestrianised area outside King's College London campus on the Strand. The second-year physics and philosophy student was sitting down with friends outside the university when the van ploughed through the closed gates on March 18. Her family described Aalia as a 'ray of sunshine' as they tried to come to terms with her sudden death. Samira Shafi, Aalia's mum, described how she rushed to the crash scene after being alerted by her daughter's friend. Samira told BBC London: 'I got a call from Aalia's friend. There was just blue lights everywhere, it was cordoned off. 'It is a pedestrian zone and it's really hard to make sense of any of it because she wasn't doing anything dangerous – she was sitting on a bench in a pedestrian area in some sunshine.' The mum reached the area in 10 minutes after the frightening call. But as the emergency scene was cordoned off, she couldn't get to her injured daughter. She continued: 'I was told to stay back quietly because several people had been hurt, and so that's what I did. 'But later on based on the time that I got there, I worked out that I was there for nine minutes before Aalia's death was called. 'Maybe if she'd heard my voice she might have pulled through.' She added: 'Aalia wasn't just a daughter, she was my best friend and my rock.' Samira said that although an investigation is being carried out, the past eight weeks 'have felt like a lifetime.' She said: 'I haven't got answers to what happened that day. 'It's been slow. I keep being told an investigation is being carried out and these things take time, which I appreciate. 'But the silence is quite difficult for us because for us these eight weeks have felt like a lifetime.' She said she appreciates there is a process 'that needs to take place, but I would hope it's done as swiftly as possible to get us on some level of clarity.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and on suspicion of drug driving. He remains on bail. More Trending Metro understands that family liaison officers are in contact with the family. Chief Superintendent Thomas Naughton, from the Met's roads and transport policing command, told Metro: 'Aalia's family continue to be supported by specialist officers, we regularly meet with them to discuss the progress of the investigation and to ensure they are receiving the support they need. 'Our investigation continues at pace and we are working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service. A 26-year-old man remains under investigation on conditional police bail following his arrest at the scene.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Raid of Café Diana in Kensington uncovers 45 tubs of 'illegal' shisha tobacco MORE: Brockwell Park festival organisers give major update over Mighty Hoopla MORE: Man says cafe staff refused to serve him because of his face tumours
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Student, 20, killed in London van crash was ‘beautiful soul', say family
The family of a woman who died after being hit by a van in central London have described her as a 'bright, kind and beautiful soul'. Aalia Mahomed, 20, was pronounced dead at the scene at the Strand, near the King's College London campus, on Tuesday. A 27-year-old woman remains in hospital in a serious condition and a 23-year-old man, who was also injured, has been discharged, the Metropolitan Police said. In a statement, Aalia's family said: 'Aalia was a bright, kind and beautiful soul who brought joy and laughter to everyone. 'She was a ray of sunshine in our lives and will be deeply missed by all her family and friends. 'Her light will always live on in our memories and her smile will be our strength as we get through this difficult time.' Her family are being supported by specially trained officers. The driver of a van, a 26-year-old man, who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and drug-driving offences has been bailed as investigations continue. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
