Yasir Ali and Muhammad Zafar died as they worked to remove the glass from a HGV at a car park at Hitchin Football Club in Hertfordshire, with locals saying there are still questions over the incident
Two men who died in a freak accident after they were trapped beneath a large glass panel they were unloading from a truck at a football ground have been pictured for the first time.
Yasir Ali and Muhammad Zafar died a week ago as they worked to remove the glass from an HGV at a car park at Hitchin Football Club in Hertfordshire.
A third man working with them at the time was also seriously injured and is currently in hospital where medics are understood to be contemplating having to amputate his arm.
Friends Mr Ali, 34, from Luton, and Mr Zafar, 33, from Dunstable, were studying at the University of Hertfordshire as international students, they were originally from Pakistan.
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Emergency services received shocked reports that two men had become trapped under the panel of glass at around 2pm on Saturday, September 6. Rescuers rushed to the incident but were unable to save Mr Ali and Mr Zafar who died at the scene.
Hitchin FC has denied they had employed the three men and it remains unclear how the men came to be working in the area or for whom.
The carpark, which is co-owned by Hitchin FC and the town’s historic Cow Commoner’s Trust, was cordoned off as investigators worked to analyse the scene to gather information for an inquest which will be held at Hertfordshire’s coroner’s court at a later date.
Once the men’s bodies are released by the coroner they will be buried either in Luton or in the men’s home country of Pakistan, Imam Qazi Abdul Aziz Chishti told the Mail.
A friend of Mr Ali, Muhammad Aqib Yasin said: “It is with deep sorrow that we share the tragic news of the passing of Yasir Ali and one of his friends, both international students at the University of Hertfordshire from Pakistan.
“The incident occurred while they were unloading a container filled with glass. Tragically, the glass collapsed during the process, resulting in the deaths of Yasir and his friend Muhammad. The other friend survived the accident.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones during this time of immense grief.”
Posting on Facebook another friend, Mirha Ch, wrote: “There has been a tragic incident involving international student from University of Hertfordshire Yasir Ali.
“I am deeply saddened to share the news of the tragic passing of Yasir Ali. Yasir was a student in my class and he was such a nice soul.”
Police investigations are continuing into the circumstances of the men’s deaths. Hitchin FC, who rent the land from the Cow Commoner’s Trust, have said they did not employ the workers, nor were they volunteering for the club.
Councillor Ian Allen, who represents North Hertfordshire District Council on the Cow Commoner’s Trust telling reporters “a lot of questions remain”.