A Family Visit Turned Tragedy at QEQM Hospital
What began as a quiet afternoon visit to see a grandmother at Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital in Margate quickly turned into a nightmare.
By late afternoon on Thursday, August 7, 2025, the calm outside the A&E entrance on Ramsgate Road was shattered by a sudden, unthinkable accident — one that would leave a family devastated and a community in shock.
A Life Cut Short
Four-year-old Zaahir Jan, full of energy and mischief, was leaving the hospital with his family when tragedy struck.
Witnesses reported screeching brakes and chaotic scenes as a white single-decker bus collided with the child near the emergency department entrance. Despite the swift response of paramedics and hospital staff, Zaahir could not be saved.
Kent Police confirmed that Zaahir’s family were notified immediately. Officers are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage as the investigation continues.
Remembering Zaahir
Zaahir, the youngest of five siblings, was known for his bright smile and infectious laughter. Friends and neighbors remember him as a boy whose charm and energy could light up any room. The tragedy is made even more painful as it follows just six days after the family lost the mother of Zaahir’s cousin, compounding an already profound grief.
His mother, Azaria, shared her heartbreak in a GoFundMe appeal, describing him as “our sweet, funny boy with a cheeky smile that could make anyone’s heart full.” The fundraiser now supports two funerals in a single week, a heartbreaking testament to the scale of loss. Social media has been flooded with tributes, as the community rallies to honor Zaahir’s joyful life.
A Community in Mourning
Outside QEQM Hospital, the usual bustle has been replaced by a quiet, somber stillness — a silence marked by the absence of a little boy’s laughter. Friends, neighbors, and strangers alike are uniting in grief, sharing memories, and offering support to a family navigating unimaginable sorrow.
Reflection
Stories like Zaahir’s remind us of life’s fragility and its sudden, unpredictable turns. From young children lost in accidents, to elders passing unexpectedly, to figures whose legacies endure beyond their years, these moments reveal both the pain of loss and the power of community. In mourning, people find unity; in remembrance, they find hope. Even amid heartbreak, compassion, resilience, and shared memory illuminate the human spirit.
