Latest news with #UniversityOfChester
Daily Mail
a day ago
- 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.
The Independent
2 days ago
- 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
2 days ago
- 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.'
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Sisters, 25 & 29, who drowned in Snowdonia pools after travelling to beauty spot with pals pictured
TWO SISTERS who drowned near the Watkin Path in Snowdon have been pictured for the first time. An inquest has been opened into the sisters' deaths, after they were pulled from the waters on June 11. 4 4 Hajra Zahid, 29, and Haleema Zahid, 25, had travelled to the popular tourist site with friends. According to North Wales Police, though, officers were called to Nant Gwynant, Gwynedd, at 21.31pm. They had received reports that one woman had been pulled from the water and that there was another in one of the pools. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Gibson of North Wales Police said: "Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families and friends of both women. "An investigation to establish what happened is now under way." An inquest into Haleema and Hajra's deaths has been opened, so that authorities can determine what happened on their trip to Wales. The coroner, 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." She 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 University of Chester's vice-chancellor, Professor Eunice Simmons, released a short statement about the pair's deaths. The statement read: "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." Dr Bilal Saeed, one of Haleema's former colleagues, said that she "touched the lives of many with her warmth, professionalism and unwavering dedication". The stunning UK hiking trail lined with 'beautiful' natural pools that people can't believe aren't man made He had worked with Haleema at a telecommunications company based in Islamabad and said that she was excited to start her new life in the UK. is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun. 4
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Two sisters drowned when they entered pool after travelling to Snowdonia with university friends, inquest hears
Two sisters drowned when they entered a pool after travelling to Snowdonia with university friends, 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 last Wednesday. Inquests into the deaths of the women who lived in Maltsby, Rotherham, South Yorkshire but were born in Pakistan 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. The pools on the Watkin path, Snowdon, have been described on social media as an 'absolute dream tucked away in Snowdonia' and 'perfect for a refreshing wild swim.' The series of cascades and plunge pools on Afon Cwm Llan are featured on social media as a scenic spot for wild swimming. 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. Emergency services were called to the scene at around 9.30pm last Wednesday. Police said one of the women had already been pulled from the water, while the second woman remained in the pools. The force said emergency crews pulled the second woman from the water but both women were sadly pronounced dead at the scene. The multi-agency response to the incident also involved Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, the Wales Air Ambulance and the Coastguard. 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.' Chairman of Llanberis mountain rescue team, Jurgen Dissmann, said after the double tragedy: '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 and we would like to thank our emergency service colleagues and Aberglaslyn mountain rescue team for their continued support and assistance during this callout.' A former colleague of Haleema Zahid at a telecommunications company in Islamabad, Pakistan, said in a tribute that she was 'an exceptionally compassionate, hardworking and kind individual,' the BBC reported. Dr Bilal Saeed added she had 'touched the lives of many with her warmth, professionalism and unwavering dedication'. Ms Zahid had left the firm to pursue higher education in the UK, he added. Sheharyar Shahnawaz, another ex-colleague, said Haleema Zahid was an 'amazing lady, very lively and energetic, someone you would want in your life'. He said that she became the pillar of her family after the death of her father last year and he had seen her just before she left for the UK when she told him she was 'really excited for this new chapter.'
