From all walks of life
From a mechanical engineer who specialised in motorbikes, to a grandfather whose passions for fixing up vintage cars, Autofile Online takes a look at the lives of some victims of the Christchurch attacks on March 15 who shared a love for the automotive and transport industries.
Engineer who specialised in two-wheelers
Muhammad Zeeshan Raza had a degree in mechanical engineering and specialised in working with motorcycles. He moved to New Zealand from Pakistan, last year.
Raza’s parents, Ghulam Hussain and Karam Bibi, were over from Karachi visiting him. They were also killed at the Linwood mosque. Raza is survived by his sister, Maryam Gul, who lives in Pakistan.
Grandfather’s passion for fixing up cars
Haji-Daoud Nabi was a husband, father and adoring grandfather who loved vintage cars and Harley-Davidson motorbikes.
The 71-year-old’s son Yama Nabi told Stuff the retired engineer’s great hobby was fixing up old cars and would often find his father “fixing up a DIY job in the garage”. Nabi is survived by four sons, one daughter and nine grandchildren.
‘Bright spark’ mourned by ports staff
Atta Elayyan, chief executive officer and co-founder of technology LWA Solutions, helped to streamline Ports of Auckland’s environmental processes and digitise its old paper-based clipboard inspections.
“LWA has gone on to develop our pilot virtual-reality app and a virtual-reality straddle training programme, and there are other projects in the pipeline,” says Matt Ball, the port’s head of communications. “Atta has also been a part of SeePort for the past two years, showing his pilot and straddle VR apps to the public.”
On a personal note, Ball adds: “I knew Atta as we worked together on SeePort. A nicer man you could not meet. This an absolute tragedy.”
Engineer always had a passion for engines
Described as a man of many talents, Lilik Abdul Hamid worked as an Air New Zealand aircraft maintenance engineer for 16 years.
His daughter Zhania told Radio NZ her father had a huge passion for engines. “I never thought about fixing anything because dad always did it. His passion has always been with all things engines, not just aircraft.”
Christopher Luxon, chief executive officer of Air NZ, adds: “His loss will be deeply felt by the team.” He says Hamid’s fellow engineers are doing all they can to support Hamid’s wife Nina, and their children Zhania and Gerin.
The victims above are just four of the 50 victims who died after the attacks on March 15. The full list of those who were injured or killed, click here.
