ONE of the victims of a double fatal horror crash was a 64-year-old father-of-three, it has been revealed.

Mirza Abdul Malick, 64, and a male passenger, Paul Haywood, 56, were killed when the Proton minicab was involved in a crash with a grey BMW 3 series and a white Range Rover Sport on Shipley Airedale Road on Saturday.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Two of the cars involved in a crash on Shipley Airedale Road

Two of the cars involved in a crash on Shipley Airedale Road

The crash left a trail of destruction which led the road to be closed for much of the day.

The drivers of the two other cars, a 26-year-old man and a 22-year-old man, were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and have been released on bail while police investigations continue.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Cab driver Mirza Abdul Malick

Police have yet to officially release the identities of the two dead men, but the private hire company Mr Malick worked for, Manningham Metro, confirmed that he had been killed.

Mr Haywood was a resident of Oak Lodge Residential Home in Oak Villas, Manningham. He had been picked up by Mr Malick shortly before the crash toook place. 

One of Mr Malick's relatives, who did not want to be identified, described him as hard working and said he had come from Pakistan several decades ago to make a new life.

He originally worked in a mill before becoming a cab driver.

Mr Malick, of Thornbury, Bradford, leaves a wife and three children.

The relative said: "He was a really hard working individual. He was of the first generation to come here and he had really strong values like honesty and hard work. He always used to follow the rules and would always tell you to put your seatbelt on and drive safely.

"I've already spoken to some of his passengers who are really upset. He would go out of his way to provide a good service and always asked customers how they were doing."

Sarfraz Fazil, owner of Manningham Metro, said of Mr Malick: "He worked here for more than 20 years, he was a very good man.

"He was humble and respectful. We didn't really see him as a driver, we saw him more as one of our family. We want his family to know that he meant a lot to us.

"Since his death we have had customers calling us telling us he was their favourite driver and the reason they use our company, and that he was always smiling. They have been giving their condolences and asking when the funeral is.

"He looked after his health so he would live longer, and he felt safe on these roads. He was a very safe driver, there were never any complaints about him."

Quazi Ishtiaq, another driver with the company, said: "I knew him for more than 20 years, he was very popular.

"When I heard about the crash I couldn't believe it. We had been sat talking in a car together not long before. I'd rung him to see where he was but couldn't get through. I was hoping he was okay.

"We were talking together and then half an hour later he is gone."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A police investigator at the scene

A police investigator at the scene

The crash happened near the junction with Barkerend Road, at 10.14am on Saturday.

Debris could be seen strewn across the junction of Shipley Airedale Road and North Street, while the badly damaged Proton came to a halt about 100 yards away on a grass embankment at the side of the road.

The crumpled BMW was next to it, with its roof, cut off by firefighters, in the middle of the road. The Range Rover had stopped further up the road.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Police at the scene of the crash

Police at the scene of the crash

As well as police, two fire crews from Bradford fire station were dispatched to the scene, and Yorkshire Ambulance Service sent three ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, clinical supervisor, and a hazardous area response team to deal with the aftermath.

The investigation is being led by the Major Collision Enquiry Team Police at West Yorkshire Police.

The two other drivers have been released on bail until February as the investigation continues.

Witnesses have been urged to contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team by calling 101.