Deceased’s kin in shock after freak accident on highway

Family tells tale of excitement around visiting relatives turning to despair

DE27 lead 2

After five people were killed in an accident involving a civic body dumper and a car on NH 24, the kin and friends of the deceased are yet to come to terms with the death of their loved ones. Sitting in the waiting room outside the mortuary in Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital, they recalled how their family members had excitedly gone to the airport to pick up their relatives from Iran.

Those dead included Qamar Abbas Zaidi (55), his wife and two children. Two of the four injured had flown down for Bakr Id in early September.

‘They were ecstatic’

“Qamar bhai’s elder brother Maulana Kalbe Abbas Zaidi lives in Iran and works in Tehran radio. He comes with his family every two years. This time he didn’t get leave so his wife Anjum and son Ali came for Id,” said Heena, a cousin.

Struggling to control her tears, Ms. Heena, who lost her cousin Anjum Fatima Zaidi, said that the deceased had spoken to her 15 days ago and told her about the relatives coming in. “They were all ecstatic. So much so that even the children didn’t stay at home. Imagine the happiness of the family when seven of them came to receive them,” she said.

“They were all excited to celebrate Id together, cook food and shop for new clothes,” said another relative sitting next to Ms. Heena.

Surrounded by relatives and sitting quietly in one corner was Mahrazuddin Siddiqui’s 14-year-old son Mahrab. Mr Siddiqui was driving the car when the incident happened.

Sole breadwinner

The only breadwinner of the family and father of four, he dealt in sale and purchase of scooters and bikes. “He hardly used to drive but when Qamar uncle asked him, he didn’t say no because they’re friends,” said Mahrab, who now stares at an uncertain future back home in Meerut’s Malyana.

Around 12 noon, when this reporter spoke with him, Mahrab hadn’t yet informed his mother Husanara about her husband’s death. “She won’t be able to take it,” he said.

In a freak accident, four members of a family, Qamar Abbas Zaidi (55), his wife Anjum Fatima Zaidi (50), their children Azhar Abbas Zaidi (18), Juhi Abbas Zaidi (14) and Mr. Siddiqui were killed. Four people, including three children, were injured in the incident that happened early on Wednesday.