Abdullah Yaha Al-Zaidy has been remembered as a ‘beloved’ teenager after he died in a suspected hit and run while going to meet his father in the Darnall area of Sheffield
A teenage schoolboy who died when he was by a car which allegedly failed to stop was heading to meet his father before the tragic incident.
Abdullah Yaha Al-Zaidy died in hospital on Wednesday after he was struck by a grey Audi in Darnall, eastern Sheffield. Abdullah, 16, was one of two people rushed for emergency attention, alongside an 18-year-old e-bike rider, who was admitted to hospital with severe injuries, with South Yorkshire Police saying a 20-year-old man was later arrested in Kent on suspicion of murder.
The Daily Mail reports that the 16-year-old, who was locally known as Abdul, was walking to meet with his dad at a nearby shop, and that the pair had plans to eat together afterwards.
The incident where Abdul lost his life was captured on distressing CCTV footage. On top of arresting one man on suspicion of murder, police arrested a man and woman in their 40s on suspicion of assisting an offender. They remain in custody as investigators continue to seek leads in the case.
Detective Chief Inspector Benjamin Wood, the Senior Investigating Officer in the case, said “entirely innocent bystander” Abdul was “going about his daily business” at the time. He called on members of the public who may have information pertinent to police inquiries to hand over what they have, adding investigators are keen to hear from the electric bike riders.
He said: “If you have any footage, imagery or information that may help our investigation then please share this directly with us – it may form an important part of our enquiries. We are also keen to hear from the riders of two electric bikes who were in the area at the time of the incident.”
Heartbroken members of the local community have paid tribute to Abdul, with the South Yorkshire Janazah Announcement Facebook remembering him a “beloved member” of his congregation.
The statement on the page, which announces Muslim deaths and funerals, posted the statement alongside a picture of the smiling teen. It read: “Abdullah, known locally as Abdul, was a beloved member of the Al-Shafeey Centre mosque. He was reportedly walking to a nearby shop to meet his father, with plans to eat together, when the tragic accident occurred.
“May Allah grant him the highest ranks of Jannah and grant his family and friends strength and patience during this unimaginable time. The statement added: “It is deeply heartbreaking to see his photo—a boy always smiling, always full of joy.
“He worked tirelessly alongside his father and had plans to begin college soon.”