Family of KCL student who died in Strand crash criticise Met Police’s ‘slow’ investigation

The family of a King’s College London student who died in a van crash on the Strand have spoken out against the silence from the Metropolitan Police.

On 18th March, Aalia Mahomed, a second year physics and philosophy student, was hit by a van whilst she was sitting on a bench outside Bush House.

A 26-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and drug driving offences.

However, despite the crash occurring two months ago, Aalia’s family have revealed that they still have many unanswered questions surrounding the circumstances of the accident.

Speaking to BBC News, Aalia’s mother, Samira Shafi, explained her frustration.

“I haven’t got answers to what happened that day,” she said. “It’s been slow. I keep being told an investigation is being carried out and these things take time, which I appreciate. But the silence is quite difficult for us because for us these eight weeks have felt like a lifetime.”

However, The Met has said its specialist officers have met with the family regularly “to discuss the progress of the investigation and to ensure they are receiving the support they need”.

During the interview, she outlined how she understood the investigation was ongoing and hoped it would reach “the right outcome”.

Yet Samira also reflected on how difficult the past eight weeks have been for the family: “It is hard because we just have the silence.”

She added: “And that’s hard to get your head around – you try and be patient, but at the same time you want some sort of understanding on it all.”

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Aalia’s mother also expressed her confusion over how the accident occurred: “It is a pedestrian zone and it’s really hard to make sense of any of it because she wasn’t doing anything dangerous – she was sat on a bench in a pedestrian area in some sunshine.” Since the incident, a petition has been launched, calling for the entire Strand area to be fully pedestrianised.

Samira further explained that getting answers: “Won’t ever bring us comfort but it will give us some sense of what happened that day”.

“Of course we would want answers straight away. I appreciate there’s a process that needs to take place, but I would hope it’s done as swiftly as possible to get us on some level of clarity.”

Ch Supt Thomas Naughton of the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command said: “Aalia’s family continue to be supported by specialist officers, we regularly meet with them to discuss the progress of the investigation and to ensure they are receiving the support they need.

“Our investigation continues at pace and we are working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service.

“A 26-year-old man remains under investigation on conditional police bail following his arrest at the scene.”

Featured image via Metropolitan Police