Tributes to bike crash victim
THE father of a teenager who died following a motorbike crash has described his son as ‘a pure soul.’
Muhammad Najm-ul-Saqlain Aziz, known to friends and family as Najm, was visiting family in Pakistan when the crash happened on October 31. The former Bolton Sixth Form College student had been riding on the bike with his cousin when it smashed into a wall in the city of Jhelum.
The pair were rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
After being informed of the devastating news, Najm’s father, Tariq, caught a flight and kept vigil at his son’s bedside.
But despite the best efforts of medical staff, the 19-year-old died on November 13.
A brief inquest into his death on Friday heard he had suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of the ‘severe traumatic brain injuries’ he had suffered.
Paying tribute to his son, Mr Aziz described him as ‘a young man full of joy and happiness.’
He added: “So many people loved him.
“There was just something about him. He was always smiling, always laughing, always full of life.
“I didn’t realise how many friends Najm had, but after the accident there was a overwhelming outpour of emotion for him.”
A talented footballer and Liverpool fan, Najm, from Bolton, had hoped to study at university after completing his college studies in the summer.
First, though, he had decided to take a year out and was giving up his free time to help feed homeless people in Manchester on a weekend.
“You would be driving around town and there would be a homeless person and he would run over to them and ask what they wanted,” said Mr Aziz. “That was the kind of person he was.”
A fundraising page set up in the aftermath of his death has raised more than £3,000.
A donation has already been sent to a medical camp in Pakistan, and the family are hoping to get involved in further projects over the coming months.
Mr Aziz added: “I believe he was a pure soul and he’s gone to a better place.
“We will never forget him.”
To donate to the family’s campaign, visit www.gofundme.com/f/najmsprojects-to-help-the-disadvantaged