Zakariya Rahim: Teen dies in horrific car crash during outing with friend days before 18th birthday
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: A teenage passenger was killed when his closest friend lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a telegraph pole. According to the victim's mother, the victim was about to graduate from HSC and was four days away from his 18th birthday. Unbeknownst to him, 17-year-old Zakariya Rahim spent Saturday night posing for photos at a family wedding with his mother, siblings, and other family members.
A few hours later, the Year 12 student died after his companion drove off the main road in Hoxton Park in Sydney's southwest early Sunday morning. The latest tragedy comes barely three weeks after a horrific incident southwest of Sydney in Buxton that killed five teenagers.
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Just last Wednesday, Sofina Khan, Zak's mother, published pictures of her delighted son at a Hoxton Park High School graduation ceremony wearing his cap and gown. ''I can't believe you have grown up so much into this very handsome, caring and strong soldier I wish you brightest future, inshallah. Love you so much and you always make feel like proud mum,'' Ms Khan posted on Facebook.
She posted pictures of Zak, her other son Jude, and her daughter Zaiba during their cousin's wedding on Saturday. 'My world,' she captioned a shot of the siblings. On Monday, the distraught mother finally spoke out to say that the family does not have any ill will against the 17-year-old green P-plate driver who is still in the hospital. She is wishing her son's buddy a swift recovery, just like Zakariya would. Ms Khan also gave a heartbreaking tribute to her youngest son, who had a golden heart.
''He was the one who could brighten up any dull moment. He had an amazing personality and a bright future ahead of him and had already planned what he wanted to do after his HSC,'' Ms Khan told the Daily Telegraph. "We don't have words to describe how we feel right now. He was an obedient child and very respectful to the young and old. He (Zak) was of a very forgiving nature, therefore he would pray for his best friend who was driving to recover and we want the same."
In another four days, Zak would have been celebrating his eighteenth birthday. Immediately following 3.30am on Sunday, emergency personnel sped to Hoxton Park Road in response to reports that a white Toyota Camry had struck a utility pole. On Sunday morning, the busy road through Hoxton Park was shut down for a number of hours as investigators from the collision investigation unit investigated the incident. Residents said that the accident woke them awake, and then they heard the driver screaming frantically for his companion who was stuck inside the car.
''There was someone standing there saying, 'help me, my friend's inside still','' a local presence at the scene of the incident narrated his recollection. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash continue.
Anyone who has information or may have dashcam footage is urged to contact the police.