Latest news with #UniversityofChester
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- 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.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Sisters, 25 & 29, who drowned in Snowdonia pools after travelling to beauty spot with pals pictured
The pair's university Vice Chancellor paid tribute to them POOL TRAGEDY Sisters, 25 & 29, who drowned in Snowdonia pools after travelling to beauty spot with pals pictured TWO SISTERS have been found dead after being pulled from the water at a major national park. The pair were discovered on the Watkin Path - the route leading to the top of Snowdon - on June 11. 4 Haleema Zahid travelled to the popular tourist site with her sister Credit: WNS 4 Two university students were pulled from pools near Snowdon Credit: WNS 4 The pair were found near the Watkin Path Credit: WNS 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. 4 Haleema and her sister were both pulled from the waters and pronounced dead Credit: WNS More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online 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.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Sisters, 25 & 29, who drowned in Snowdonia pools after travelling to beauty spot with pals pictured
TWO SISTERS have been found dead after being pulled from the water at a major national park. The pair were discovered on the Watkin Path - the route leading to the top of 4 Haleema Zahid travelled to the popular tourist site with her sister Credit: WNS 4 Two university students were pulled from pools near Snowdon Credit: WNS 4 The pair were found near the Watkin Path Credit: WNS 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. Read More on UK Crime "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." Most read in The Sun 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. 4 Haleema and her sister were both pulled from the waters and pronounced dead Credit: WNS More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online 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
Sky News
3 days ago
- Sky News
Sisters drowned in pools in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, inquest told
Two sisters drowned in pools in Wales's largest national park, an inquest has heard. Hajra Zahid, 29, and Haleema Zahid, 25, were pulled from pools on the Watkin Path - one of the six main routes to the summit of Yr Wyddfa, or Snowdon, in North Wales on 11 June. North Wales Police said officers were called to the scene in Eryri National Park, also known as Snowdonia, at 9.31pm after they received a report that a woman had been pulled from the water, and another was said to be in the pools. Both sisters, who were born in Pakistan but lived in Maltsby, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, were pronounced dead at the scene before 11pm. Inquests into their deaths were opened at the Dafydd Orwig Chamber in Caernarfon on Wednesday, and assistant coroner for north-west Wales, Sarah Riley, said they "sadly both died as a result of drowning". "Investigations continue in terms of how they came by their death and the inquest is therefore adjourned to allow for completion of those investigations," she added, as she offered her condolences to the sisters' family and friends. The coroner said the siblings "had travelled to the Nant Gwynant area with friends from university", with a friend later identifying the University of Chester students. 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."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Tributes to sisters who died in national park
Tributes have been paid to two sisters who died after being pulled from the water at one of Wales' national parks. Hajra Zahid, 29, and Haleema Zahid, 25, were found in pools on the Watkin Path - which leads to the summit of Yr Wyddfa - also known as Snowdon - on 11 June. University of Chester said the women "touched the lives of many" since starting master's degrees in international business earlier this year. An inquest into their deaths is due to be opened on Wednesday by the coroner for north-west Wales. "The University of Chester community is in mourning for the tragic loss," said the vice-chancellor, Prof Eunice Simmons. "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." Two women die in water at national park beauty spot Mountain rescue teams stretched to breaking point Easter walkers warned after record rise in call-outs 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". 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". The Watkin Path is one of the main routes to the summit of Wales' highest mountain. North Wales Police said officers were called to Nant Gwynant, Gwynedd, at 21:31 BST after a report one woman had been pulled from the water and another was said to be in one of the pools. Det Ch Insp 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." Chairman of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team Jurgen Dissmann added: "I extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the two women who sadly lost their lives." I almost died up a mountain scattering dad's ashes Social media driving rise in mountain call-outs North Wales Police Llanberis Mountain Rescue
