“THE diamond in our lives” was one phrase used to describe car crash victim Hasan Hussain Dad at his funeral which took place today.

More than a thousand mourners turned out to pay their respects to the “respectful and kind” young man, who died aged 20 on Wednesday.

Mr Dad, from Lidget Green, who worked as an apprentice legal worker at Bradford law firm Alison Law Solicitors, based in Listerhills, was killed after his car - a Peugeot 107 - was involved in a collision with a Vauxhall Astra at the junction of Fairbank Road and Whetley Lane in Girlington shortly after midnight on Wednesday.

He was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary but pronounced dead shortly after.

Mourners, including many of Mr Dad’s family and friends, gathered at the Madni Jamia Masjid in Thornbury Road, Thornbury, for the service yesterday.

Adil Hussain Dad, Hasan’s uncle, struggled to hold back tears as he paid tribute to his nephew, who he said was “the best child you could ask for”.

He said: “We are devastated and absolutely shattered, he was the diamond in our lives.

“He was his parents’ only son and had three sisters who all loved him to bits, he treated them like his babies.

“He worked two jobs to support himself, at the law firm and at BBQ Express in Toller Lane, and he was coming from there when it happened.

“He rang his mum and said he would be bringing some food home and to keep his sisters up, he had some of his favourite ice cream with him too.

“He wanted to work because he didn’t want to be a burden on his parents, he wanted to support his own education and prove to them he could do it.

“He was a beautiful boy, a fantastic child, the best you could ask for. He was a quiet and smiley guy.

“He had a future ahead of him and a career in law, it was something he always wanted to do.”

Mr Dad added that he hopes the death of his nephew will make young drivers in Bradford drive with greater care to avoid further tragedies.

“I feel sorry for the person who smashed into him. I feel sorry because he will have to live with that for the rest of his life.

“His sisters will never have a brother again, his mother never have a son. I hope other youngsters will learn from this and drive safely. They not only put their own lives in danger but others as well, and it is not just one life destroyed, it is a whole family’s life. Youngsters, please learn from this, life is too short. People need to learn to love each other again.”

Councillor Mohammed Shafiq (Labour, Bradford Moor) also attended the service at the Masjid.

He added: "My condolences go to the victim and his family, my heart goes out to them.

"This is a tragic incident that has taken another young life on our roads in Bradford, and I urge people to take care on our roads.

"Hasan is a big loss for his family and the whole community, he had aspirations and a career ahead of him.

"This was one of the largest funerals I have attended in Bradford."