Vigil held for student who died after being hit by van near campus

Aalia Mahomed was studying for a BSc in physics and philosophy at King’s College London.

By contributor Ruby Cline, PA

Published Mar 25

A gathering of people in memory of Aalia Mahomed — Friends gathered for a vigil in memory of Aalia Mahomed (Oscar Rihil/PA)

Friends and family of a student who died after being hit by a van near her university campus have held a vigil in her memory.

Aalia Mahomed, who was studying for a BSc in physics and philosophy at King’s College London, was pronounced dead after the crash on the Strand last Tuesday.

One week on from her death, dozens of people gathered at the scene to pay tribute to the 20-year-old, many of them wearing her favourite colour, green.

Ms Mahomed’s brother, Zain, spoke at the vigil and said: “I would give anything for one more day with her.

Aalia Mahomed was studying at King’s College London (Metropolitan Police/PA)

“She will never get to be the cool aunt or that cat lady she joked about being. She was a hero, my hero.”

Shivanjaly Varathan, who went to school with Ms Mahomed, described her as being “so full of life, it was infectious”, while another school friend, Aleena George, said: “She had the best smile. When I think of her, she has that smile.”