‘Absolutely devastating’

Tributes have poured in from the "heartbroken and devastated" friends and family of Umar Akbar after he was named as one of the two victims who died in a tragic crash along the M1. According to South Yorkshire Police[1], a dark coloured BMW Saloon had been travelling[2] along the motorway when it left the road and crashed into a tree. Both Umar and the female passenger - who is yet to be named - died despite the efforts of emergency services.

Umar's death was announced on the South Yorkshire Janazah social media page with hundreds flocking to Facebook to share tributes for the "bright young man". Posting to Facebook, Hasan Bhatti wrote: "What a great person Umar was. Always smiling, and he loved football.

He will never be forgotten. I am absolutely heartbroken. May Allah grant you the highest rank in Jannah."

Farra Boss wrote: "What a beautiful soul, absolutely devastating news." Shabana Hussain wrote: "May Allah swt grant the mahroom the highest ranks in Jannah and give immense strength and sabr to the family during this difficult time." South Yorkshire Police[3] are continuing to appeal to anyone who witnessed the crash or has any footage to come forward. They said: "We have launched an investigation following the tragic death of a man and a woman in a fatal collision on the M1.

Tributes have been paid to Umar Akbar

"We're appealing for witnesses, footage and information to help us understand the circumstances that led to the collision.

Last night (Wednesday, November 12) at 11.36pm, we received a call to reports of a collision on the M1 Southbound between junctions 37 and 36. "A dark coloured grey BMW Saloon motor vehicle is believed to have been travelling along the motorway when it has exited the carriageway and collided with a tree. Emergency services attended and the driver, a man in his 20s, and his passenger, a woman in her 20s, were sadly both pronounced dead at the scene.

"Their families are being supported by family liaison officers and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed or may have dashcam footage of the car prior to the collision, or anyone with information that you believe can assist us with our enquiries." If you have any information, you can get in touch online or by calling 101, quoting log number 1119 of November 12. You can submit footage directly here.[4]

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References

  1. ^ South Yorkshire Police (www.examinerlive.co.uk)
  2. ^ travelling (www.examinerlive.co.uk)
  3. ^ South Yorkshire Police (www.examinerlive.co.uk)
  4. ^ You can submit footage directly here. (unitedkingdom1cpp-portal.digital-policing.co.uk)
  5. ^ signing up to our newsletter here. (www.examinerlive.co.uk)
  6. ^ by clicking here (chat.whatsapp.com)
  7. ^ Read our privacy notice here (www.reachplc.com)