Tributes to 'caring' medical student, 21, after he died in gym tragedy

Tributes have been paid to a medical student who tragically died while exercising at his university gym. Mohammed Farraj, from Stoke-on-Trent, has been remembered as 'kind' and 'caring' following the incident.

Emergency services were dispatched to the University of East Anglia's Sportspark, in Norwich, where Mohammed was studying, around 7pm on October 16 after reports of a medical emergency. Norfolk Police confirmed that a man in his 20s, who had been using gym equipment, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident is being jointly investigated by the police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). As reported by the BBC, an inquest heard the provisional cause of death was a traumatic head injury, sustained while he was in the gym.

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Tributes have since poured in for Mohammed, 21, and a fund-raising appeal has been launched in his memory. His university football team penned: "A dear friend, brother and son departed this world. Our best wishes and condolences go out to his family, friends and loved ones."

"Mohammed was someone who loved to stay fit and active, he was also an aspiring doctor. Mohammed was someone who represented all the university's core values.

"Anyone who met Mohammed can vouch that he was kind, caring and a joy to be around. A minute's silence was held at all of our games that took place on Saturday to pay our respect for Mohammed.", reports Stoke on Trent Live.

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The student union expressed their sorrow, stating: "We are deeply shocked and heartbroken by the incident that resulted in the loss of Mohammed Farraj, a valued member of our UAE community. This is a tragedy and our thoughts and condolences are with their family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time."

Another message from the medical school read: "You had the potential to make a great doctor... thinking of you, your family and friends."

Over £10,000 has been pledged in Mohammed's honour, approaching the £11,000 target for a charitable cause. The fundraising page stated: "As many of you now know, our dear brother Mohammed Farraj has passed away. It was a shock to all of us, and it was sudden, leaving many of us still grieving. He was ambitious, hardworking, and smart. Most of all, he was kind, good, and a practicing Muslim."

The page goes on to say: "As Muslims, we believe that charity on his behalf will be a means of continual reward after his death; this is called Sadaqah Jariyah.

"Out of love for Mohammed, we wish to build a water project in his name. This means that every time someone or something uses or drinks from it, there will be a continual reward for him. We hope this will increase his ranks in Paradise."

Concerning the incident, a Norfolk Police spokesman said: "Emergency services were called to the Sportspark gym shortly after 7pm following reports of a medical incident involving a man who had been using gym equipment," the police spokesperson said in a statement.

"A man, aged in his 20s, was treated by paramedics but was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His family have been informed.

"The area was evacuated while emergency services provided medical treatment. A police cordon was in place and the gym will remain closed while enquiries are carried out to establish the circumstances surrounding the death, which is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious."

The inquest into Mr Farraj's death commenced on Tuesday and has been adjourned until February 21, with the coroner seeking further details from the student's father, GP, and the police. Following the incident, the gym where the tragedy occurred was temporarily shut down but has now reopened.