Tributes have been paid to two popular teenagers who died in a car crash.

More than 3,000 people attended the funeral of Kasier Hussain, 16 and Sajid Khan, 19, both from Accrington.

The pair died when the red BMW saloon they were passengers in collided with a wall and two parked cars on Marsden Road in Burnley at around 9pm last Thursday.

Another passenger, Wasif Ali, 20, suffered extensive chest and stomach injuries and a dislocated shoulder in the smash – but survived and has been released from hospital.

The 18-year-old driver of the car, Zaid Ali, which contained the four childhood friends, has since been charged with causing death by dangerous driving. He is Kasier’s cousin.

Sport-loving teenager Kasier, of Ormerod Street, was a front seat passenger in the car and was due to celebrate his 17th birthday next month. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The former Moorhead High pupil was due to start a college course this year.

Yasin Mohammed, Kasier’s uncle, said: "We can’t fill this gap.

"I don’t know what to say about this tragedy. It really has shocked us. It has hurt the family.

"They were all very close friends – childhood friends. They were brought up together and looked after each other always. It’s hard to understand what’s happened.

Yasin added: "I never expected so many people to come to the funerals. It was nice and I thank them.

"Kasier loved sports, supported Manchester United, and enjoyed the gym a lot. He was a really nice and great guy."

Aspiring lawyer Sajad Khan, 19, of Richmond Road, died in Royal Blackburn Hospital from his injuries following the tragedy on March 10.

The former Rhyddings pupil was studying at Blackburn College and played for Enfield Cricket Club.

His family described him as intelligent, sport loving and a pleasant young man.

His dad Mohammed, of Coniston Road, said: "When your son is 19 and dies, it is more than a shock.

"Sajid loved sport. He was very tough and a very powerful boy.

"He played cricket for Enfield for many years and enjoyed kick-boxing and karate. But he loved football, watching Arsenal and playing cricket most of all."

He added: "He wanted to be a lawyer and was hoping to study law at university.

"His friends will miss him so much because there were so many of them. He would always be at the soccer dome in Blackburn with them. He was a very well-known boy in Accrington."

Sajid’s uncle, Latif Khan, said: "The police have been exceptional since the crash.

"They even had a police escort at the funeral. It was a real community gathering and it was good that they held it together for both the guys."

He added: "Sajid was well-loved by everybody. Nobody had a bad word to say about him and he was always ready to help. He was very energetic and intelligent.

"If his injuries hadn’t been that bad he wouldn’t have passed away because he was so fit. But the injuries were more than he could manage."

Wasif Khan, 20, a former pupil at Rhyddings, has been recovering at home on Willows Lane, since the incident.

His brother Ali said: "He is not really speaking at the moment. He’s in shock and can’t really say anything to anyone."

Sajid and Kasier’s funeral was held at the Higher Antley Street Mosque in Accrington on Tuesday.

Sajid leaves two brothers, four sisters, his parents and family and friends.

Kasier leaves one sister, two brothers, his mum and dad and family and friends.

  • Zaid Ali, of Richmond Hill Street, Accrington has been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. He appeared before Preston magistrates on Tuesday, March 15 and was committed to appear at Burnley Crown Court on June 13. He was remanded in custody.