TRIBUTES have poured in for Adeel Gul who died after a hit-and-run in Coventry.
Adeel, who was in his 20s, was struck on Sunday (October 7) at 7.50pm in Allesley Old Road in the Chapelfields area of the city.
Police say the much-loved community figure was crossing the road when he was hit by a car, or possibly two, travelling at high speed.
He suffered very serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
His brother Nadeem took to Facebook to desperately appeal for information the night of the incident and has since paid an emotional tribute after learning of his brother’s death.
He said: “Yesterday I lost my little baby brother.
“Words cannot describe how I feel.
“He was taken by some heartless scum who ran him over and carried on going.
“He’s taken my brother’s life and our family’s lives.
“Adeel Gul was a great person to everyone who ever knew him.
“I loved my brother so much. I wouldn’t have guessed in a million years this would have happened.
“I just wish I could have hugged him one last time and told him how much I love him.
“Someone must know who’s done this. Get at me with a name, that’s all I want. May Allah grant him jannah ameen.”
Today he has thanked everyone for their tributes and called on those who wanted to celebrate Adeel’s life to visit the Iqra Centre mosque on Allesley Road.
He said: “Over the past couple of days, all the support, the amount of flowers from family, friends and even strangers has been unreal.
“Adeel Gul was truly loved by many and to see how many people have payed respects from white, black, Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi communities and others is evidence we are all the same.
“People you could not imagine in a mosque have been to Iqra Centre and payed respects.
“The local priests from the churches have also been in and payed respects.
“I’d like the thank everyone. Adeel will be looking down on us all with a big smile.”
Detectives from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit want to hear from any witnesses who were in the area at the time and either saw the collision or a car driving nearby with front-end damage.
Detective sergeant Paul Hughes said yesterday: “I would urge any motorists with dash-cam footage who were driving near the area this evening to check their footage to see if they have caught a damaged car on camera; they could hold vital information and I would urge them to make contact.
“Similarly, if anyone living nearby has CCTV cameras that might have caught the cars immediately before or after the crash or anyone who’s witnessed anything that could help the investigation – I need these people to call me.”
Coventry Cathedral last night tweeted: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of both Ryan Willoughby-Oakes and Adeel Gul as they begin to come to term with the tragedies experienced over the weekend.
“Our love and prayers are with you at this sad time.”
Ryan Willoughby-Oakes, 17, was cycling in Binley Road at the junction with Hipswell Highway at around 7.15pm on Friday (October 5) when he was hit by a car.
A second hit-and-run took place only one day after Adeel’s death as a man in his 60s crossing St James Lane, Willenhall, was struck by a white Audi which fled the scene.
Police continue to appeal for information.
