Hornchurch road victim’s dad speaks of family’s heartbreak

Sara Odeen-Isbister, Senior Reporter Wednesday, March 13, 2013
10:36 AM

The father of a young woman who was killed after being struck by a lorry has spoken of the family’s devastation.

Flowers at the scene of the accident

Masuma Mawji, from Hornchurch, died at the scene after colliding with a lorry while she “walked along the zebra crossing” in Green Lane, Dagenham, on Tuesday of last week, at around 12.30pm.

The 25-year-old Havering College student, who walked with a crutch, had been helping at her family’s pharmacy Nuchem, also in Green Lane, and was on a lunch break when the accident happened.

The lorry driver was arrested in connection with the incident and bailed until May.

Masuma’s father Mohammadhussein Mawji, said the family were “absolutely devastated” by her death.

“It’s extremely sad. We’re all very shocked over what has happened,” he said.

Paying tribute Mr Mawji added: “She was a happy person who was always smiling. I remember on the day she died she was really cheerful.”

He described the support from the community as incredible: “We’ve had so many letters of condolences and flowers, so I want to say thank you to everyone. The police have also been great.”

Family friend Ray Mehta said: “Masuma was very courageous and she was always out on her own despite her disability, which affected her legs.

“She always walked very slowly but she was always very careful and used the crossing.”

Dozens of tributes have been left on Facebook. Grant Skinner Farrell wrote: “She was so kind I remember her from the chemist R.I.P XXX,” and Lorena Cabezas posted: “RIP Masuma you will be sadly missed down Green Lane and in the chemist xx.”

Masuma, studying a computer, was buried on Tuesday. She leaves behind three sisters.