Aspiring physician, 21, dies after struggling ‘traumatic’ head damage whereas understanding at college health club – as tributes pour in for ‘sort and caring’ scholar

A medical student has died after suffering a ‘traumatic’ head injury while working out at a university gym. 

Mohammed Farraj was using the facilities at the University of East Anglia’s Sportspark, in Norwich on October 16 when tragedy struck.

Despite emergency crews rushing to the location to try and help the 21-year-old, he was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The Norfolk Police said that Mohammed, from Stoke-on-Trent, was using the gym equipment when he sustained the fatal head injury. 

The gym, which was closed in the aftermath of the young student’s death, has now been reopened, although police alongside the Health and Safety Executive continue to investigate. 

A statement sent by Kris Bowles, dean of Norwich Medical School said: ‘It is with great sadness that I have to share the heartbreaking news with you that Mohammed Farraj, one of our second-year medical students, passed away yesterday following an incident at UEA Sportspark.

‘My heart goes out to his family. I just cannot imagine what they are going through at present.

‘He had all the potential to be a great doctor, so it is with great sadness that we hear of his passing and our thoughts are with his family and friends.’

Tributes have flooded in for the ‘kind and caring’ Mohammed, after a minute silence took place for people to pay their respects on Saturday.

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.’

Friend and president of UEA Boxing, Isaac Rodriguez, told the BBC that Mohammed was ‘by far the hardest worker in the gym’.

‘He… never gloated and was so compassionate, so kind and always there to help people.’

Shivam Ruparelia added: ‘He was good at everything, the cleverest man.

‘An amazing medical student – he had covered pretty much the whole of our medical course in the first year.

‘He was committed; we are all very proud to have been his friend.’

Housemates of Mohammed, Sharief Younis and Noordin Jamal, said the last few days had ‘been a blur’.

‘We are trying to make as many arrangements as we can… we can honour his memory and make sure people remember him as he deserves to be remembered,’ Mr Younis said.

A fundraiser has been set up in Mohammed’s name to help raise money for Human Appeal to build water wells. 

The page, which has so far raised $14400, read: ‘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.’

A Norfolk Police spokesman said at the time: ‘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.’