
Tributes say farewell to fresher who died of suspected allergic reaction
‘My heart aches with pain that she has left the world’
Shahida Shahid, a first year studying Mathematics at Manchester, died last Monday after collapsing from a meal out at burger restaurant Almost Famous.
Now, tributes are pouring in to say goodbye to the 18-year-old.
Shahida Shahid spent three days in intensive care.
Winstanley College posted on Twitter about their former pupil: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of Shahida Shahid.”
Shahida’s friends left their condolences as well: “So last night I found out that one of my friends was taken off life support few hours ago and sadly passed away – RIP SHAHIDA sadly missed.”
Another wrote: “Quite literally in shock at the moment, RIP Shahida, I didn’t know you for long but I’ll still miss you, sleep tight.”
Gemma Woodward said: “So much to live for – rip Shahida xxxxx – so so amazing.”
Other messages included: “Poor girl. Horrible news.” and “RIP Shahida. So sad.”
More people left their messages on Facebook. Bhavin Thaker wrote: “Can’t believe that I went to college with this lovely girl and now this has happened so soon after. God Bless x”
While Kayleigh Akid said: “I seen this emergency being rushed in as I was in A and E myself. Cannot believe it.”
Over 60 comments leaving tribute to Shahida have been left on one news report alone.
Shahida is reported to have had several allergies, including dairy and nuts.
Farjana Alam, a relative, initially posted on Sunday to Facebook saying: “Everyone please keep my cousin in your prayers.
“She is in the ICU, has gotten brain damage, and she isn’t being responsive. Every prayer counts.”
Sadly, on Monday she then said: “To God we belong and to God we return. My beautiful, brilliant, kind, loving cousin has passed away.
“Please everyone keep her in your prayers. I still cannot believe she’s gone and my heart aches with pain that she has left the world.
“May Allah grant her mercy and take her to the highest of Jannah. Everyone please pray for her and her family’s strength.”
Friend of the victim Sophie Ball also gave tribute: “RIP Shahida, you were such a lovely woman and a great best friend to my cousin. You will be deeply missed, keep shining.”
Almost Famous is in The Great Northern Warehouse, off Deansgate
Shahida, from Worsley, passed away after three days in intensive care. She collapsed around 8:30pm in Withy Grove, over half a mile from the restaurant where she had eaten a chicken burger for dinner. Recently, it has been uncovered that she suffered from several food allergies, including dairy and nuts.
Lisa Ahmed, who posted on Facebook claiming to be a cousin of the victim, said: “I’m one of her cousins and just to make it clear she did specifically tell them she had allergies.”
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “Initial inquiries have established the woman had been out for a meal in the Great Northern Warehouse prior to her collapse and may have suffered an allergic reaction to her food.
“A joint investigation is currently underway involving Greater Manchester Police and the Food Standards Agency to establish the exact circumstances.”
It is reported that there is currently no suggestion of food poisoning.
Almost Famous Burgers said it would be “inappropriate to comment” while an investigation was underway. However, company director Marie Carter said: “We are absolutely devastated to hear the tragic news that this young lady has passed away.”
A Manchester City Council spokesperson said: “We’re aware of a tragic incident which took place over the weekend and will now be working alongside Greater Manchester Police to establish what happened as well as preparing a report for the coroner.”
Meanwhile, a Food Standards Agency spokesperson said: “An incident in Manchester involving a fatality potentially linked to an allergic reaction to food has been reported to the FSA and an investigation into the exact circumstances is underway.”