TEENAGER Umar Mahmood, who appeared on Freddie Flintoff’s BBC show Field of Dreams, lost control of his car before fatally crashing, an inquest has heard.
The 18-year-old was driving an Audi A3 Sport when it left the road and collided with trees on Chain Caul Way in Preston, Lancashire, shortly before 11pm on September 10, 2024.
BBCUmar Mahmood (left) featured on Freddie Flintoff’s show Field of Dreams in 2022[/caption]
The 18-year-old (right) tragically lost his life after being involved in a high-speed crash which also lead to the death of a passenger, 16, in the same carBBC
PAFlintoff’s show aimed to inspire teenagers – who had never considered playing cricket – to get involved with the sport[/caption]
In addition to Umar losing his life, Adam Bodi, 16, was also fatally injured in the crash while the other passenger – aged 17 at the time – was seriously hurt.
Umar had featured on the former England cricketer’s show about youth cricket, where the star sought to build a team of 11 teenagers from under-privileged parts of Lancashire.
An inquest into the deaths at Preston Coroner’s Court was told that the car Umar was driving in had reached speeds of approximately 80mph while in a 30mph zone before it left the road.
The inquest heard that the vehicle hit the kerb four times before colliding with two trees and overturning on its side, leading to the tragic deaths of both teenagers.
Adam, who had been travelling in the backseat of the car and had not been wearing a seat belt, died in hospital on September 11 while Umar passed away the following day.
The 16-year-old’s death came just weeks after getting his GCSE results.
Coroner Kate Bissett said the teenagers’ deaths had been caused by “a terrible misjudgement” and were an “utter tragedy”.
Umar’s former school, Penwortham Priory Academy, described him as “bright, studious and well-loved”.
The school said at the time of the tragedy: “We are again saddened as a school to hear the news that Umar Mahmood, who was in the same accident as Adam, and who left Priory 2 years ago, has also passed away.
“Umar was a bright, studious and well-loved member of our school community.
“He had a passion for Geography as well as his cricket, playing for Priory’s school team and appearing in the BBC One documentary ‘Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams’.”
It added that it was a “privilege” for those at the school to have known Umar – a “young man who was always considerate to those around him and who showed ambition and kindness in all that he did.”
Umar’s dad also paid an emotional tribute to his son, telling MailOnline: “I am heartbroken. He was just a young lad. To lose my young son is terrible.
“I am very sad. His mother is doing OK but we are very sad.”
Flintoff’s show Field of Dreams saw the then 46-year-old return to his hometown of Preston on a mission to prove that anyone can play sport, regardless of their background.
Umar was one of a handful of teenagers given the opportunity to feature on the show, which aimed to inspire a new generation of kids to play cricket.
The show’s second series came to an end last year, amid rumours this month of a third set of episodes on the way.
TRAGIC LOSS OF ‘FANTASTIC YOUNG MAN’
Following the tragic deaths of the teens, tributes were also paid to Adam by the pair’s school.
It described the 16-year-old as a “fantastic young man” who had a “fantastic sense of humour.”
They said: “Adam was an amazing pupil, of whom we have nothing but fantastic memories.
“He was popular, bright, confident and had a fantastic sense of humour alongside being a first-class footballer, who had been part of our football team here at Priory for five years.
“We know that the rest of his year group will be equally upset at losing one of their own.
“Adam was a fantastic young man, and he, his family and friends are very much in our thoughts and prayers.”
Penworth Priory AcademyUmar Mahmood was driving at approximately 80mph in a 30mph zone at the time of the crash, an inquest has heard[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
