Inquests were opened on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, into the death of four men who burned to death in a car crash when they were on their way to watch the Tyson Fury World Heavyweight Championship fight against Deontay Wilder.
Zahir Baig, Sahir Iqbal, Jason McGovern and Mohammed Uddin were in a black BMW M5 which flew through air after leaving the A5 Flying Fox roundabout close to Heath and Reach in Bedfordshire at around 3.40am on Sunday, October 10.
It hurtled over a hedge beside the road and landed around a 100 metres away in the field, where it ended up on its roof and caught fire.
On Tuesday Bedfordshire Senior Coroner Emma Whitting passed her condolences on to the families of the four men for their loss and adjourned the hearing until 14 April next year.
The court heard that Zahir Baig, 39, from Luton was the driver of the car which “went airborne and landed in a field.” The cause of death was multiple injuries and fatal burns with a second cause of excess alcohol. His body was identified by tattoos.
Sahir Iqbal, 39, from Luton was in the rear nearside passenger seat. He died from multiple injuries and fatal burns. He was identified by a tattoo.
Mohammed Uddin, 41, from Luton was in the front passenger seat. He also died from multiple injuries and fatal burns. He was identified from scars on his body.
Jason McGovern, 46, from Leighton Buzzard was in the rear off side passenger seat. He died from multiple injuries and fatal burns. He too was identified by a tatoo.
At the time one relative said: “All we know is that my brother-in-law and three friends had gone out that night to watch the Tyson Fury fight.”
In a tribute statement he family of Zahir ‘Zeus’ Baig of Abigail Close, Luton, said: “We are absolutely devastated to have lost our heart and soul of the family.
“He was the head of our family, he was our 6’3” shadow and protector. He was the best father, brother, son and uncle; someone that would do anything for his family.
“Zahir was truly one of a kind – unique and someone whose heart was so big and kind it was too big for his body.
“We ask you to pray for our brother and his friends who have so tragically lost their lives and we hope no other family has to go through this pain we are suffering today.
“We would like to thank you for all your messages of condolences, we have seen them all but as you can imagine it’s very difficult to send individual replies. We thank you and acknowledge you all.”
Sahir Iqbal of Trent Road, Luton, was described by his family as a precious son, brother, father and husband.
“He was the strength of our family, we will never forget the countless times he would run to our rescue no matter where or what he was doing,” they said.
“Our big brother. A father and son so full of love. His smile will be remembered by all.
“He was unique, unrefined and transparent and there was no other like him. Many may have a heart of gold, his was a heart of diamonds.
“We will never forget you, you are irreplaceable. So until we meet again, rest in peace.”
Jason ‘Jay’ McGovern of Roosevelt Avenue, Leighton Buzzard, was the son of Valerie Closs, father to Joe Jack and brother to Daniel Wilson.
In a statement his family said: “Jay was a man of many personalities. He was generous, funny and silly at times. He would do anything to help those he cared about.
“Jay had his faults but he was well loved by those who really knew him and regarded him as a friend.
“Jay will be truly missed, especially by his wife of two months and partner for 14 years Sharon McGovern, his step daughter Marcella Clarke and his granddaughter.”
The family of Mohammed Uddin of Biscot Road, Luton, said he was “a loyal man who always guarded his family and friends”.
They added: “A devoted father of four beautiful children and loved dearly by all of his family.
“A lion-hearted brother of the community who will be remembered for generations to come.”
