Man dies after suffering traumatic head injury in gym incident

A man has tragically died following an incident inside a university gym. Mohammed Farraj, 21, is believed to have suffered a traumatic head injury in the incident and he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Mohammed, who was from Stoke-on-Trent, has been described as a 'kind' and 'caring' following the tragedy. Emergency services had been sent to the University of East Anglia's Sportspark, in Norwich, where Mohammed was a student, at about 7pm on October 16 following reports of a medical incident.

Norfolk Police said a man in his 20s, who had been using gym equipment, was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is being jointly investigated with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

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An inquest heard the provisional cause of death was a traumatic head injury which was sustained while he was in the gym, the BBC reports. In a tribute to Mohammed, his university football team wrote: "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."

A statement from the student union added that their thoughts are with Mohammed's family, StokeonTrentLive reports. They said: "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."

A tribute from the medical school said: "You had the potential to make a great doctor... thinking of you, your family and friends."

A fundraising page has so far raised more than £10,000 in memory of Mohammed. A statement on the page reads: "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.

"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."

A Norfolk Police spokesman added: "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.

"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 was opened on Tuesday and adjourned until 21 February with the coroner requesting information from the student's father, GP and the police. The gym, which was closed in the aftermath of Mr Farraj's death, has since reopened.

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