Adnan And Arsalaan Habib Deaths: Boxer Amir Khan Attends Funeral Of Brothers Killed On Christmas Day

Amir Khan Attends Funeral Of Brothers Killed On Christmas Day

Boxer Amir Khan was among thousands of mourners at the funeral of two young brothers who died in a Christmas Day crash on the M6.

Adnan Habib, 10, and Arsalaan, four, were killed when the car they were in crashed close to junction 15, near Stoke-on-Trent, on Tuesday.

Mourners attend the funeral in High Wycombe

The brothers, described by their family as "precious jewels", died alongside their 32-year-old aunt, Bushra Tazarib.

More than 2,000 people attended a funeral for the brothers at a mosque in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, today.

Hundreds spilled out into the street from the packed mosque and said funeral prayers in pouring rain.

Among the mourners was Khan, who this morning tweeted: "In Wycombe for the funeral of 2 young kids + aunty who died in a car crash on way to a cousins wedding last week. Condolences to the family."

Fellow mourners said they had seen the boxer arrive at the mosque on Saturday among hundreds of people who travelled from the north of the country to attend.

Khan was at the same wedding the three crash victims were travelling to on Christmas Day and has described how the occasion turned from joyous to "despair" as news of the tragic accident spread.

One mourner, who did not want to be named, said: "This is basically the whole community, as well as people who have travelled from outside Wycombe to come.

"It's such a tragedy, everyone feels the family's pain."

Before today's funeral ceremony, the bodies of Adnan, Arsalaan and their aunt were laid to rest in another mosque nearby, where grieving relatives, friends and members of the community - including what appeared to be fellow schoolchildren - paid their respects.

Mourners pray as they attend the funeral at a Mosque

Coaches and taxis arrived with mourners from the north of the country, including Manchester, and crowds watched as the coffins, covered in embroidered drapes, were carried inside.

Floral tributes were also brought, which read "Adnan", "Arsalaan" and "sister".

Afterwards, the coffins were moved to the town's nearby main mosque where the funeral ceremony was held.

A private burial was due to take place this afternoon for the two boys.

Their aunt's body is to be transported to Pakistan, police said.

An inquest into the three deaths has been opened and adjourned by North Staffordshire Coroner Ian Smith.

Staffordshire Police picture of Adnan Habib, 10, (left) and his brother four-year-old Arsalaan

In a touching tribute issued earlier, the family said: "Adnan and Arsalaan were our family's precious jewels, spreading joy wherever they went.

"They were happy and joyous boys who were a central part of the family, always smiling and bringing smiles to everyone they met."

Bushra Tazarib was described as "beloved", "helping" and supportive.

Two other women were travelling in the red Ford Focus, including the boys' mother, who was driving at the time of the crash, and were taken to hospital but discharged after treatment.

All five in the car were from High Wycombe and had been travelling north on the M6 to attend a family wedding in Greater Manchester.

The incident closed the motorway in both directions for three hours from junction 14 at Stafford to junction 15 at Stoke.

The Central Motorway Police Group's collision investigation unit is continuing to examine what may have caused the crash, which is believed to have involved one vehicle.

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