Aalia Mahomed’s brother says Strand crash victim was ‘amazing’

“My sister was amazing. Really smart, loving, funny – though I’d never say it to her.”

These are the words of Aalia Mahomed’s brother, Zain.

On 18 March, Ms Mahomed, from Mitcham, south London, was struck by a van which drove through closed gates and hit the bench she was sitting on in a pedestrianised area outside King’s College London (KCL) on The Strand.

She was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision on 18 March 2025, which left three others injured.

The Metropolitan Police said a 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and he remains on bail.

Ms Mahomed was in her second year studying for a BSc in physics and philosophy at KCL.

On Thursday, about 40 friends, family members and people from KCL gathered to pay tribute to the student, who was also honoured earlier in the day at a graduation ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall on London’s South Bank.

Mr Mahomed and his mother Samira Shafi collected her posthumously awarded degree.

“If I’m being honest, I wish I could say I was happy to be at the ceremony today but it was painful, she should have been up there getting her award. As much as it hurt, it was handled really well,” he added.

Many people there were dressed in green, her favourite colour, and stood with their eyes closed or heads bowed.

Some were visibly emotional and hugged one another for support, and a minute’s silence was held.

The Rev Dr Ellen Clark-King, dean of KCL, told those gathered: “We mourn today the potential of all that she would have become, her lost future, as well as the loss of all that she was.”

The family told BBC London they had launched a project, called Be More Aalia, to build a high school in Malawi, where they have roots.

Joseph Knight, a close friend of Ms Mahomed, was sitting on a bench next to her when she was hit by the van. He was not injured and said that came down to a decision to sit to the left or right.

He told BBC London: “It was an emotional day, bittersweet. It just makes me think what could have been, all of her dreams wasted.

“It’s been tough for everyone here, we’re laden with grief.”

He added: “She lit up a room with her smile, her laugh. She looked for the light in everyone and is really missed.”

Bianca Godinho, also a good friend, said: “She was really funny, she was a light. The strength that her mum and brother have shown has been incredible.”

Another close friend, Iman Khan, told BBC London: “We shared so many memories together. She was so loyal, she was always there for me – the perfect friend.”

During the remembrance for Ms Mahomed, solicitor Trevor Sterling called for justice to be delivered to the family.

He said: “We need to make sure that we achieve justice without delay, and that the right level of justice is achieved, the right charges are brought, and only then will the family be able to move forward.”

He said there was frustration over the fact that no charges had been brought almost five months later.

Mr Sterling added: “The wheels of justice are slow, and inevitably there is frustration. The family and those affected have been patient.”

Ch Supt Thomas Naughton, from the Met Police, 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.”

Additional reporting by PA Media