A ‘super smart’ medical student who died at a university gym was using a weight machine seconds before he was found dead, a relative has told MailOnline.
Mohammed Farraj, 22, was using the work out machine when he is understood to have had a sudden medical episode and there was ‘a massive crash’.
Mr Farrah is thought to have suffered ‘traumatic head injuries’ while he was still in close proximity to the weights as he experienced some loss of control.
The incident happened as or moments after he using the gym’s ‘Smith machine’, a large metal frame which guides a barbell along a vertical track on which the user can opt to set safety ‘stop’ catches.
Mohammed Farraj (pictured) was using the work out machine when he is understood to have had a sudden medical episode and there was ‘a massive crash’
Mr Farrah is thought to have suffered ‘traumatic head injuries’ while he was still in close proximity to the weights as he experienced some loss of control
The incident at the University of East Anglia (UEA) Sportspark gym was initially described as ‘medical’ but later Mr Farrah was said to have suffered injuries to his head when an inquest into the cause of death was opened and adjourned.
Mr Farraj’s female cousin, who asked not to be named, told MailOnline: ‘It was a tragic accident and it was not a fault of the machine, from all we have been told.
‘Mohammed was using a Smith machine when he suffered a head trauma.’
She added: ‘He had no underlying health issues. ‘He was very fit and healthy, there was absolutely nothing wrong with him.’
The officer worker spoke outside the family home in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, where her cousin’s heartbroken parents were being comforted by relatives.
His father, motor dealer Hashim Farraj, 57, simply said: ‘He was a fit and well young man. God bless him.’
His cousin said they understood a weight or part of the machinery or bar crashed onto his head on the equipment.
She added: ‘But we do not want to go into detail while a health and safety investigation is ongoing.’
Witnesses told of hearing a ‘massive crash’ was heard in the gym before Mr Farraj was spotted lying on the floor.
His cousin said: ‘He suffered a fatal head trauma. Other gym users heard a loud bang and raised the alarm.’
Mr Farrah is thought to have suffered ‘traumatic head injuries’ while he was still in close proximity to the weights as he experienced some loss of control (stock image)
Two fellow gym users tried to give him CPR until the ambulance crews arrived and took over.
Sources also confirmed that Sportspark staff were summoned to the gym and gave rapid assistance.
Emergency services rushed to the fitness suite shortly after 7pm but, despite their best efforts, the 21-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
The police and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have been investigating how Mr Farraj, who was just beginning his 2nd year at the UEA in Norwich, died at the gym on October 16
In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation, which is ongoing.
A HSE spokesperson said today: ‘We are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident.’
A coroner gave the preliminary cause of death as a traumatic head injury. An inquest has been adjourned until February 21 pending reports.
His cousin paid an emotional tribute to the young medic, saying: ‘He was super smart and so likeable.
‘I don’t think I have ever met anyone like him in my life. He was so intelligent and there was always so much you wanted to ask him.
The University of East Anglia’s Men’s Football team shared an image of a minute’s silence held for the student after his death
‘He was the purest and kindest soul and was always there to help others.
‘He always put others before himself and he really wanted to be a doctor. He was very, very optimistic and looking forward to his future.
‘His mother, father and younger teenage brother are in bits, they are heartbroken.
‘It’s all so fresh and since his passing family members have been visiting the house every day to pay their respects.
‘He had one of the biggest Muslim funerals in Stoke. So many people turned out.’
She said that whilst living and studying in Norwich, he was ‘still in contact with his family all the time.’
Other tributes flooded in for Mohammed, described as ‘kind and caring’ by friends.
UEA said he had been a member of a number of societies including the Islamic Society, the Medical Society and both the MMA and Boxing clubs.
The Boxing club has announced plans to hold a 10km run along a route the medical student took regularly in his memory.
Housemates of Mohammed, Sharief Younis and Noordin Jamal, told the BBC 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.
Tributes have flooded in for the ‘kind and caring’ Mohammed, after a minute’s silence took place for people to pay their respects
He later told the Norwich Evening News hearing the news had been ‘like a bomb had been dropped’, adding: ‘It has been an emotional test for everyone.’
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,’ he added.
Shivam Ruparelia also said: ‘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.’
UEA Men’s Football team, for whom Mohammed played, held a minute’s silence ahead of its match Saturday October 19 for people to pay their respects.
It shared an image of the minute’s silence on social media alongside a statement reading: ‘A dear friend, brother and son departed this world.
A fundraiser has been set up in Mohammed’s name to help raise money for Human Appeal to build water wells
‘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.’
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Kris Bowles, dean of Norwich Medical School, said in a statement: ‘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 on October 16 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.’
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 $14,400, 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.
Friend and president of UEA Boxing, Isaac Rodriguez, told the BBC that Mohammed was ‘by far the hardest worker in the gym’
‘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.’
The gym, which was closed in the aftermath of the young student’s death, has now been reopened.
A Norfolk Police spokesperson said: ‘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.
‘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.’
