Ahmed Mohammed Azad, a student at the Bangladesh International School-English Section in Riyadh, died while trying to save 12-year-old Muhammed Sagaff, who also drowned.
The boys were part of a group who visited the pool, located at a hotel in the capital, to celebrate their pre-examination holiday on Sunday.
According to an eyewitness, Sagaff fell into trouble after venturing into the pool’s deep end. “Everyone sought Azad’s help since he was an acclaimed swimmer. Azad readily jumped into the pool to rescue the drowning boy,” said one witness.
Azad’s father, Assad Alrisi, who works for the Ministry of Interior, said he still could not come to terms with his son’s death.
“It is the will of Allah that he had to sacrifice his life in a bid to rescue a friend,” Alrisi said.
He added that his son was an extraordinary student. “Two years ago he got an award from the mayor of Liverpool for his outstanding performance in soccer,” said Alrisi.
Mohammed Shaheed Hussein, principal of the Bangladesh International School, said the tragedy has left the entire school distraught because Azad was popular among both students and teachers as he was excellent in the classroom and also in sports.
Funeral prayers for both boys were held at the King Khaled Mosque in Riyadh. They were then laid to rest at the Ummul Hamam Cemetery. A large number of people, including students and family members, attended the funeral.
