The family of a 20-year-old student who tragically lost her life in a crash on The Strand expressed their deep sense of confusion, as many questions surrounding the incident remain unanswered.
On March 18, Aalia Mahomed, a resident of Mitcham in south London, was hit by a van that breached closed gates, colliding with the bench where she was seated in a pedestrian-only zone near King’s College London (KCL).
Her mother, Samira Shafi, shared with BBC London that the lack of communication from the Metropolitan Police regarding the investigation has made the time feel “like a lifetime.”
The 26-year-old driver of the van was apprehended at the location on suspicion of causing death through negligent driving and drug-related offenses. He has since been released on bail as the Met Police continue their inquiries into the incident, which also injured three other individuals.
Aalia was in her second year at KCL, pursuing a degree in physics and philosophy.
“I am still searching for answers about what transpired that day,” Samira stated. “The progress has been slow. Although I understand that investigations take time, the prolonged silence is challenging for us, as these past eight weeks have felt endless.”
She acknowledged the ongoing nature of the investigation and expressed hope for a “just outcome,” while emphasizing their lack of insight into any developments.
“It’s tough to cope with the silence. We try to be patient, but we yearn for some clarity in this situation.”
Reflecting on that fateful day, Samira recounted arriving at the scene within ten minutes of the accident. “I received a call from Aalia’s friend. There were blue lights everywhere and the area was cordoned off. It’s a pedestrian zone, and it’s difficult to comprehend what happened, especially considering she was merely sitting on a bench in the sun, doing nothing harmful.”
Given the scene’s restrictions, Samira was unable to comfort her injured daughter. “I was instructed to stay back as several individuals had been injured, which I complied with. However, based on the timing of my arrival, I later determined that I was present for nine minutes before Aalia was pronounced dead. Perhaps if she had heard my voice, she could have survived.”
Samira revealed that the last two months have been incredibly challenging for her and her family as they navigate their emotions between denial and the harsh reality of their loss. “Aalia was not just my daughter; she was my best friend and my support,” she shared.
Trevor Sterling, the family’s solicitor at Moore Barlow, stated: “No parent should ever have the grim task of burying their child, and when such tragedies occur, a swift process is crucial. I have previously discussed with Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan the importance of expediting investigations in these cases. Timeliness is key to achieving justice.”
Samira is resolute in her pursuit of “justice,” expressing, “That was my promise to my daughter while I stood by her in the coffin.” Gaining answers about her daughter’s death would assist her in understanding the circumstances surrounding it. “While it won’t bring us solace, it would provide some perspective on that day,” she said.
“Naturally, we desire answers immediately. I understand there’s a necessary process, but I hope it is handled as quickly as possible to grant us a degree of clarity.”
Ch Supt Thomas Naughton of the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command stated, “Aalia’s family is being supported by specialized officers, and we regularly engage with them to talk about the investigation’s progress and ensure they have the assistance they need. Our inquiry is ongoing, and we are working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service. A 26-year-old man remains under investigation while on conditional police bail following his arrest at the scene.”
