Crash 'a tragic and unfortunate event'

WRECKAGE . . . the car after the accident

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A DRIVER may have fallen asleep at the wheel before a crash which killed two young men with bright futures.

Best friends Tosief Ahmed (21), from Clarksfield, and Asad Majeed (22), from Glodwick, died when the white Mercedes CT20 they were travelling in hit a bridge column at 6am on August 30, 2015, as they travelled back from a trip to Scotland to visit a school friend.

An inquest at Heywood Phoenix Centre yesterday heard how the car left the carriageway and struck a barrier before colliding with a bridge column near junction 21 of the A74(M) near Gretna.

Both Tosief, who was driving the car, and Asad suffered multiple fractures and internal injuries and died almost instantly, the inquest heard.

A police report indicated there had been no reaction from the driver which resembled someone who was tired or had fallen asleep at the wheel.

However, coroner Nicholas Flanagan said he did not have enough evidence to make that conclusion.

The tracking system on the Mercedes showed the car had been travelling at 91.7mph prior to the accident but coroner Flanagan said he could not be satisfied that speed was the reason for the crash.

He said: "I cannot form that conclusion that Tosief Ahmed fell asleep. Evidence suggests it was travelling above the speed limit but I cannot be satisfied speed was the reason.

Tragic
"There is no evidence which can satisfy myself that they were in a rush to get anywhere. It appears to be a very tragic and unfortunate event."

Tosief was a chef and one of six children who had been married twice and was married to a student living in Pakistan when he died. He is now buried in Pakistan.

Asad was described by his older brother Sohail Majeed as a hard-working man who enjoyed football. Asad is now buried in Chadderton.

The police report found no defects with the car. There was evidence of cannabis in Tosief's system, however there was nothing to suggest it had affected his driving.

The coroner recorded both deaths as being from multiple injuries consistent with a road traffic collision.

He said: "The car appears to have left the carriageway, struck the barrier then collided with a bridge. Both appeared to be very bright, happy young men with bright futures in front of them and I am very sorry."

Safeer Ahmed, an uncle of Tosief Ahmed, paid tribute to the pair who were described as being "joined at the hip".

He said: "The fact is that there are two bright young men with bright futures ahead of them and they have passed away as a result of this tragic accident. They will be greatly missed by their family and friends."