Latest news with #AaliaMahomed
BBC News
19-05-2025
- BBC News
Strand crash death: 'Silence from investigation is hard' says mum
The family of a 20-year-old student who died in a crash on The Strand say they still have many unanswered questions about why and how it 18 March, Aalia Mahomed, from Mitcham, south London, was struck by a van which drove through closed gates and hit the bench she was sitting on in a pedestrianised area outside King's College London (KCL).Her mother, Samira Shafi, has told BBC London the silence from the Metropolitan Police about the investigation has felt "like a lifetime".The van driver, a 26-year-old man, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and drug-driving offences. The suspect has been bailed while the Met Police continue to investigate the collision which also left three others injured. Aalia was in her second year at KCL and was studying for a BSc in physics and philosophy."I haven't got answers to what happened that day," said Samira."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 understood the investigation was ongoing and hoped it would reach "the right outcome", although they were not privy to the investigation or any progress being made on it."It is hard because we just have the silence."And that's hard to get your head around - you try and be patient, but at the same time you want some sort of understanding on it all." Recalling that day, Samira said she had arrived at the scene of the crash within 10 minutes."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 sat on a bench in a pedestrian area in some sunshine."As the area was taped off, Samira was unable to hold her injured daughter."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." Samira said the past two months had been very hard for her and her family who were going from "being in denial and then reality hitting"."Aalia wasn't just a daughter, she was my best friend and my rock," she added. Trevor Sterling from Moore Barlow Solicitors is the family's said: "No parent should ever have to bury their child and events where they do we have to have a process which is a speedy one. "Last year I was in touch with the mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and he supported the notion that there should be an expedited process when dealing with these types of events. "It's incredibly important that we can get to the answers without delay - delay is the enemy of justice." Samira remains determined "to get justice", saying: "[It was] the one thing I promised my daughter when visiting her in the coffin." She added that getting answers would also help her better understand the circumstances of her daughter's death."It won't ever bring us comfort but it will give us some sense of what happened that day," she said."Of course we would want answers straight away."I appreciate there's 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." Ch Supt Thomas Naughton of the Met's Roads and Transport Policing Command said: "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."
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Student who died in Strand crash a 'beautiful soul'
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, in a collision that also left three injured. Ms Mahomed was in her second year studying for a BSc in physics and philosophy at King's College London (KCL). A 27-year-old woman, also confirmed to be a KCL student, remains in hospital in a serious condition and a 23-year-old man, who was also injured, has been discharged, the Metropolitan Police said. The force added that the driver of a van, a 26-year-old man, arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and drug-driving offences has been bailed while investigations continue. The collision happened at about 11:40 GMT, when a van hit pedestrians close to King's College London and Somerset House, Aldwych. The statement from Ms Mahomed's family added: "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 specialist officers. Professor Shitij Kapur, the university's vice-chancellor and president, said: "A senseless tragedy struck our campus on Tuesday - a tragedy that has led to the loss of life of one of our students, Aalia Mahomed. "Aalia's family has asked that we respect their privacy as they mourn the loss of their daughter. "Another of our students is still in hospital and is in our thoughts. We are in touch with their family to ensure they feel supported." He added: "Words often bring little comfort at these difficult times when what has happened cannot be reversed – but I hope that in supporting our students and staff, and honoring and remembering what has been lost, we will find a way forward." Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Man bailed after fatal crash on Strand Pedestrian dies and others hurt in crash on Strand Metropolitan Police
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.
BBC News
20-03-2025
- BBC News
Woman who died in crash on the Strand named as Aalia Mahomed
A woman who died in a fatal crash in central London on Tuesday has been named as 20-year-old Aalia Mahomed, the Metropolitan Police has family have paid tribute, describing her as a "beautiful soul who brought joy and laughter to everyone". Three others were hurt after a van hit pedestrians at about 11:40 GMT, close to King's College London and Somerset House, Met has said the van driver, a 26-year-old man, arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and drug-driving offences has been bailed as investigations continue. 'Ray of sunshine' The statement from her family added: "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 specialist officers.A 27-year-old woman remains in hospital in a serious but non life-threatening condition, while a 23-year-old man has since been discharged.
