Woman killed by van that ploughed through pedestrians on central London street named as family pay tribute to 'beautiful soul'

Woman killed and two injured after van crash in central London
GB News
Holly Bishop

By Holly Bishop


Published: 20/03/2025

- 10:22

Updated: 20/03/2025

- 11:00

Aalia Mahomed was killed in the horror crash near Somerset House on Tuesday

A woman who has died after a van ran over multiple people in Central London has been named.

Aalia Mahomed, 20, was killed in the horror crash near Somerset House shortly before midday on Tuesday.


In a statement, her family said: “Aalia was a bright, kind and beautiful soul, who brought joy and laughter to everyone. She was a ray of sunshine in our lives, and will be deeply missed by all her family and friends.

"Her light will always live on in our memories and her smile will be our strength as we get through this difficult time.”

Aalia Mahomed

Aalia Mahomed, 20, was killed in the horror crash near Somerset House shortly before midday on Tuesday

Met Police

Emergency services flocked to the scene near Somerset House following the crash at 11.41pmEmergency services flocked to the scene near Somerset House following the crash at 11.41pmGB NEWS

Emergency services flocked to the Strand, near Somerset House following the crash at 11.41pm on March 18.

A 26-year-old was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and driving with concentration of specified controlled drug above specified limit.

He has since been bailed with conditions whilst enquiries continue.

A 27-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man also injured in the crash were taken to hospital.

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Police cordoned off a section of the Strand following the incident

Police cordoned off a section of the Strand following the incident

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Footage following crash

A 26-year-old was arrested at the scene. He has since been bailed with conditions whilst enquiries continue.

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The woman remains in a serious condition, though her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The 23-year-old has since been discharged.

One witness described seeing the van briefly airborne before striking Mahomed, who had been sitting on a bench with friends.

In an email to students, King’s College London said the 20-year-old was a student with its Faculty of Natural, Mathematical and Engineering Sciences.

The 27-year-old woman is also part of the same department. The 23-year-old is in the Social Science and Public Policy faculty.

\u200bPeople at the scene of an incident involving a van in The Strand, central London

People at the scene of the crash

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“A number of students and colleagues were directly impacted, and others are concerned with the sudden nature of death and serious injury resulting from an accident,” the email stated.

Another student told the BBC he saw a van "ram into a fence".

He said: "The van came from one of the side roads by the Indian embassy and then at this point - I didn't see how or when - crashed into the people."