Scotland’s private hire drivers in state of ‘shock and grief’ after driver loses life at Loch Lomand
Updated: Jul 30, 2021
Scotland’s private hire driver community is in a state of ‘shock and grief’ after the tragic death of a driver who lost his live trying to save friends in Loch Lomand at the weekend.
In a statement released by the Glasgow Branch of the App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU) they left a message of condolence following the tragic death of private hire driver and union member, Muhammad Asim Riaz.
The ADCU said the union are in a state of ‘shock and grief’ after Muhammad Asim Riaz tragically passed away trying to save his friends over the weekend after getting into difficulty in Loch Lomand. Sadly Rana Haris Ali, aged 9, also passed away alongside Muhammad, as did the child's mother, Edina Olahova, 29.
The private hire driver community and ADCU members will take part in a "Driver's Salute" by lining up along a section of the funeral procession route in Glasgow later this week.
The branch has organised a fundraiser in support of Muhammad's family:
In the statement released by the ADCU, it said: “It is with a profound sense of sadness that we have learned of the death of our fellow union member, Muhammad Asim Riaz, who tragically passed away while trying to save the lives of his friend's two children after they fell into distress in water over the weekend. Heart-wrenchingly, one of the children, Rana Haris Ali, also passed away alongside Muhammad, as did the child's mother, Edina Olahova.
“Muhammad was known, personally, by several members of our branch committee and by many members of our union branch. We are all in a state of shock and grief, and our hearts are heavy today. Life is the most fragile of things and to see that fragility so close to home is jarring.
“Our thoughts are with the Riaz, Ali and Olahova families at this time and we offer our deepest and most heart-felt condolences. We are, truly, so sorry for your loss.
“The branch will be organising a crowdfund for the family and we are also asking our union members to attend the funeral of Muhammad later this week and form a procession of private hire vehicles to take part in a “Driver's Salute”, en-masse, as brothers-in-arms, to pay our final respects to our late friend and colleague.”
Eddie Grice, ADCU Glasgow Chair, added: "This news has shook us pretty hard. It's such a tragedy. We offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to the families and offer our hand out in support. Anything we can do for them, we are here.
"In times like this, the private hire driver community pulls together. Our union is organising a fundraiser in memory of Muhammed and we are also going to do a Driver's Salute where we will line the road on the approach to the cemetery as a way to pay our respects.
"This is what unity is all about. Pulling together and holding each other up in times of need and supporting each other's families when the worst happens. We would do this for any of our members as well as drivers not in the union alike.”
