Latest news with #HaleemaZahid
North Wales Live
07-07-2025
- North Wales Live
Rescues soar on Yr Wyddfa's 'most challenging' route
The most challenging route up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) was last month the mountain's busiest for rescues. The Watkin Path saw the highest number of call-outs during an 'especially active month' for Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team (MRT). Among its deployments last month was a tragic callout involving the deaths of sisters Hajra Zahid, 29, and Haleema Zahid, 25. Having travelled to Yr Wyddfa with friends from the University of Chester, the students drowned in one of the Rhaeadrau waterfall pools that line a section of the Watkin Path. Llanberis MRT said any of its June callouts involved 'potentially serious injuries'. The team added: 'A significant number could have been avoided with better planning or preparation – especially considering how quickly conditions can change in the mountains.' The team's June logbook showed a number of incidents involving walkers getting lost and becoming stranded in bad weather. Some, wearing unsuitable clothing, had become too cold and wet to descend. In May, when 38 callouts led to 18 deployments, the Llanberis Path saw the highest number of casualties. Last month, Llanberis MRT was even busier, responding to 44 callouts and making 21 deployments, with the Watkin Path a particular focus. While Llanberis Path is probably the easiest route up Wales' highest mountain, the Watkin Path is arguably the most scenic and undoubtedly the toughest. As well as involving the most climbing of any of Yr Wyddfa's main six routes (it starts almost at sea level), the Watkin Path has steep sections with loose rock and scree. Careful footing and good navigation skills are needed to complete the ascent, especially near the summit. As a result it attracts fewer walkers. However the lower sections are busy with visitors who merely want a riverside picnic or to explore the area's industrial remains. In recent years, concerns have been voiced over the soaring popularity of the route's "Watkin Pools" – a series of cascades and plunge pools that have gained traction on social media. Taking a dip in ice-cold mountain waters, where rocks can be slippery and jagged, always carries a degree of risk. Last month the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) UK pleaded with residents and visitors to stay safe near water in Wales this summer. It followed figures showing that, in 2024, Wales had a drowning rate double the UK National average. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday Any activity in the mountains carries a degree of danger and Llanberis MRT is urging Yr Wyddfa's walkers to arrive properly prepared. Llanberis MRT figures show that, as expected, the team is busiest on Saturdays – it's when visitor numbers are at their highest.
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Daily Mail
'Shattered' family of two sisters who drowned in Snowdonia mountain pool call for clarity over 'conflicting' accounts of their deaths
A family 'shattered' by the deaths of two sisters who drowned at a mountain pool have called for clarity over the 'conflicting' accounts of their deaths. Mother-of-two Hajra Zahid, 29, and younger sister Haleema Zahid, 25, were pulled from the water after a 'challenging' rescue attempt on a notorious path up Snowdon. The pair had travelled 70 miles to the mountain range to visit the waterfall pools with university friends before the tragedy struck, an inquest opening heard. The sisters had only moved to the UK four months ago to begin masters degrees in International Business at the University of Chester and had been living in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Their family have been left heartbroken amid claims they have received 'conflicting' accounts over how the women came to their deaths, reports from Pakistan said. The account given that one sister died trying to save the other does not add up with where the bodies of the two women were found - roughly 10 minutes apart - the family claimed. 'The family is shattered,' a relative told Geo News. 'The police says one sister drowned and the other drowned while trying to save her but the body of one sister was found floating on the surface and the other sister's body was found ten minutes away. 'The witnesses say both entered the water together. The police have not informed us of anything and are not helping the family.' The women's bodies have been repatriated back to Pakistan. Coroner Sarah Riley said the women had travelled to the pools at Snowdon's notorious Watkin Path with university friends. The hearing in Caernarfon was told pathologist Dr Zain Mehdi carried out post mortem examinations and has the provisional cause of death for both sisters as drowning. Ms Riley said: 'They have entered the water and sadly both died as a result of drowning.' She said Hajra was declared dead at 10.48pm and Haleema was declared dead at 10.49pm. 'Investigations continue into how they came by their deaths.' She added: 'I offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends and all who knew and loved them.' The sisters were originally from Rawalpindi in Pakistan but moved to the UK as students at the University of Chester's business school where they were taking on masters degrees in international business. Dr Bilal Saeed previously worked with Haleema at a telecommunications company in Islamabad, and said she was 'an exceptionally compassionate, hardworking and kind individual'. He said that she had 'touched the lives of many with her warmth, professionalism and unwavering dedication' before leaving her home country to pursue a masters degree in the UK. Another friend described her as an 'amazing lady, very lively and energetic, someone you would want in your life'. University vice chancellor Prof Eunice Simmons said: 'The University of Chester community is in mourning for the tragic loss. 'They touched the lives of many here at Chester - their friends, the cohort on their course and the staff who taught them - and they will be deeply missed.' Chair of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, Jurgen Dissmann said: 'On behalf of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, I extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the two women who sadly lost their lives. 'This was a complex and difficult callout for the team.' Social media has been blamed for a surge of inexperienced walkers to Snowdonia after four out of five recent deaths in the recent fatalities were women. The pools where the Hajra and Haleema died had been rated one of the best places in Britain to inspire 'Insta envy' and awash with selfie-takers from miles away. Rescue teams have previously said a rise in call outs to the mountains known as 'Britain's most dangerous peaks' was down to 'trending social media posts' on Instagram and TikTok. And the latest tragedy means at least five young people have died in the Snowdonia mountain range this year. Social media influencer Maria Eftimova, 28, travelled from Greater Manchester to climb Tryfan but fell 65ft when she lost her grip on February 22. Dr Charlotte Crook, 30, of Birmingham slipped to her death on Glyder Fach on February 16. Medical student John Aravinth, 20 of Horsham, West Sussex, fell on Snowdon after getting lost on May 26. The Yr Wyddfa range has upwards of 750,000 visitors a year. It averages eight deaths annually - but five already this year. A BBC Countryfile guide said: 'While many choose to take the mountain railway most of the way, plenty choose to make the fairly substantial hike - many of whom may not be regular hikers and may not be armed with the right kit or sufficient food.' It was used by Sir Edmund Hillary and his team as a training ground for their successful Everest climb in 1953. Snowdon attracts more than 600,000 walkers, climbers and tourists each year with a series of walking trails and a train line leading to the 3,560ft summit. The eight-mile long Watkin Path, where the tragedy happened, is described as 'one of the steepest and more challenging routes up Snowdon'. It takes an estimated four to seven hours to complete - with a dip in the water a must-do for many walkers. However the route is said to pass along 'a series of crystal-blue waterfalls before it quickly ramps up in difficulty after passing Gladstone Rock. The pools have been described as 'quite possibly the most beautiful wild swimming spot in the whole National Park.' Detective Chief Inspector Andy Gibson of North Wales Police said: 'Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families and friends of both women.
Express Tribune
19-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Pakistani sisters drown in North Wales national park
Two Pakistani sisters studying in the UK have drowned in a tragic incident at Eryri National Park, North Wales, prompting an outpouring of grief and calls for greater clarity from authorities. Hajra Zahid, 29, and Haleema Zahid, 25, both postgraduate students in International Business at the University of Chester, were pulled from the Watkin Pools in the Nant Gwynant area last week. The sisters, originally from Kahuta near Rawalpindi, had arrived in the UK four months ago and were residing in Maltby, Rotherham, South Yorkshire. An initial inquest hearing held at the Dafydd Orwig Chamber in Caernarfon confirmed that both women died due to drowning, as reported by BBC. The incident occurred on 11 June, when North Wales Police received reports that one woman had been pulled from the water and another was still submerged. Both were pronounced dead at the scene shortly before midnight. University of Chester Vice-Chancellor Professor Eunice Simmons expressed deep sorrow, saying the sisters had 'touched the lives of many' within the university community. The Pakistani community in the UK has also reacted with shock, with vigils held and community leaders demanding transparency around the circumstances of the deaths. The women's funeral prayers were held in northern England on Tuesday, and their bodies were flown back to Pakistan on Wednesday. Hajra Zahid was married and leaves behind two young sons, aged six and three. A local journalist shared her husband's reaction on X (formerly Twitter), who had asked for further investigation by UK government in the tragedy. Two sisters from Rawalpindi drowned in Eryri National Park in North Wales after travelling to the area with friends from university. Hajra Zahid, 29, and Haleema Zahid, 25, were pulled from pools on the Watkin Path – which leads to the summit of Yr Wyddfa, or Snowdon – in North… — Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) June 18, 2025 The tragedy has also reignited scrutiny over safety measures at the Watkin Path, a popular but remote route to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). Authorities continue to urge caution for those visiting mountain pools, particularly late in the day. The inquest has been adjourned as investigations continue.
The Independent
18-06-2025
- The Independent
Sisters drowned in pools in Eryri National Park, inquest told
Two sisters drowned in Eryri National Park after travelling to the area with friends from university, an inquest has heard. Hajra Zahid, 29, and Haleema Zahid, 25, were pulled from pools on the Watkin Path – which leads to the summit of Yr Wyddfa, or Snowdon – in North Wales on Wednesday June 11. Inquests into the deaths of the women, who were both born in Pakistan but lived in Maltsby, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, were opened on Wednesday. Assistant coroner for north-west Wales Sarah Riley said: 'Hajra and Haleema had travelled to the Nant Gwynant area with friends from university. 'They have entered the water and sadly both died as a result of drowning.' The University of Chester students were identified by a friend, the inquest heard. Ms Riley added: 'Investigations continue in terms of how they came by their death and the inquest is therefore adjourned to allow for completion of those investigations. 'I offer my sincere condolences to their family, friends and all who knew and loved them.' The hearing, held at the Dafydd Orwig Chamber in Caernarfon, was told both women were pronounced dead shortly before 11pm on June 11. Last week, a spokesman for North Wales Police said officers were called to Nant Gwynant, Gwynedd, at about 9.30pm after a report that one woman had been pulled from the water and another was said to be in the pools. The second woman was pulled from the water but was pronounced dead at the scene. A Llanberis mountain rescue team was sent to the area along with an air ambulance and a coastguard helicopter. Vice-chancellor of the University of Chester, Professor Eunice Simmons said: 'The University of Chester community is in mourning for the tragic loss of Haleema Zahid and Hajra Zahid and our heartfelt sympathies are with their families and friends during this incredibly difficult time. 'Haleema and Hajra had joined Chester Business School earlier this year on the Master's in International Business course. 'They touched the lives of many here at Chester – their friends, the cohort on their course and the staff who taught them – and they will be deeply missed.'
Telegraph
18-06-2025
- Telegraph
Sisters drowned in Snowdonia pools on trip with university friends
Two sisters drowned in Snowdonia after travelling to the area with friends from university, an inquest has heard. Hajra Zahid, 29, and Haleema Zahid, 25, were pulled from pools on the Watkin Path in Eryri National Park – which leads to the summit of Yr Wyddfa, or Snowdon – in North Wales on June 11. Inquests into the deaths of the women, who were both born in Pakistan but lived in Maltsby, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, were opened on Wednesday. Assistant coroner for north-west Wales Sarah Riley said: 'Hajra and Haleema had travelled to the Nant Gwynant area with friends from university. They entered the water and sadly both died as a result of drowning.' The University of Chester students were identified by a friend, the inquest heard. Ms Riley added: 'Investigations continue in terms of how they came by their death and the inquest is therefore adjourned to allow for completion of those investigations. 'I offer my sincere condolences to their family, friends and all who knew and loved them.' The hearing, held at the Dafydd Orwig Chamber in Caernarfon, was told both women were pronounced dead shortly before 11pm on June 11. Last week, a spokesman for North Wales Police said officers were called to Nant Gwynant, Gwynedd, at about 9.30pm after a report that one woman had been pulled from the water and another was said to be in the pools. The second woman was pulled from the water but was pronounced dead at the scene. A Llanberis mountain rescue team was sent to the area along with an air ambulance and a coastguard helicopter. Professor Eunice Simmons, vice-chancellor of the University of Chester, said: 'The University of Chester community is in mourning for the tragic loss of Haleema Zahid and Hajra Zahid and our heartfelt sympathies are with their families and friends during this incredibly difficult time. 'Haleema and Hajra had joined Chester Business School earlier this year on the Master's in International Business course. 'They touched the lives of many here at Chester – their friends, the cohort on their course and the staff who taught them – and they will be deeply missed.'
