Tributes to Burnley woman killed in A56 crash (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

Tributes to Burnley woman killed in A56 crash

2:00pm Friday 28th September 2012 in News By Chris Gee, Reporter

A WOMAN killed in a multi-vehicle car smash has been described as a “kind, gentle soul, who devoted her life to helping others”.

Shameem Gulzar, 35, of Old Hall Street, Daneshouse, Burnley, died on Tuesday morning after a Mercedes Coupe car, in which she was a front seat passenger, collided with two vans and a car, on the A56 bypass.

Driving the car was Shameem’s brother, Tariq Gulzar, 32, who suffered serious injuries and remains in a critical condition in Royal Blackburn Hospital .

Their 18-month-old niece, also in the car, suffered minor injuries, and has since been released from hospital.

Shameem and Tariq’s brother, Salim Gulzar, said the family were ‘shocked and in despair’ following the accident.

And they are urging the community to pray for their stricken brother.

He said: “We are desolate at the loss of Shameem. She was wonderful, loyal and generous.

“She took great joy in looking after her three nephews and nieces, and would give most of her time to helping with their homework, taking them to, and from, school, and organising after-school activities.

“Just days before the accident she had been planning a birthday party for her beloved nephew, and had been happily buying presents for him.

“It’s just heartbreaking to lose her, so cruel.”

Tariq runs the family business, Burnley Plumbing Supplies, in Old Hall Street, along with Salim, and a third brother, Nadeem.

A former Manchester University student, Tariq, Shameem, and their niece, were on their way to the city for his dental appointment at the time of the accident.

Shameem’s funeral was held on Wednesday at the Jamia Masjid Ghausia Mosque, in Abel Street, Burnley.

Salim said his brother remains in a critical condition, and all his family and the community in Daneshouse were “hoping against hope” that he pulled through.

He said: “He’s badly hurt, but we know he is a strong person. I would like to ask people to include my brother in their prayers over the coming days. We have already been overwhelmed by the support from the Daneshouse community, and from further afield in Burnley. “People have genuinely shown they care.”

He added that prayer dedications to Shameem and Tariq would be said today at the mosque. An inquest into Miss Gulzar’s death has been opened, and adjourned, at Blackburn Coroner’s Court.

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