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Crash family: 'We are proud to live in Preston'
A father has spoken of his grief after three tragic men were laid to rest in one of the biggest funerals ever held in Preston.
More than 1,000 people turned out to say an emotional farewell at the ceremony in New Hall Lane.
Imran Bodi, 28, of Hartington Road, Broadgate, was killed along with brother-in-law and father-of-two Alnoor Rajani, 32, of Caroline Street, Ribbleton, after their Mitsubishi saloon careered off an icy stretch of the M62 near Huddersfield on December 30.
Mr Bodi's cousin Bilal Bholat, 24, of Connaught Road, Broadgate, also died.
Salim Bodi, the father of Imran, father-in-law of Alnoor and uncle of Bilal, said: "Our family has lost three wonderful sons. Our daughter has lost a caring husband and her two young children have lost a loving father.
"It is not possible to explain the grief we are going through but we have finally been able to start our grieving now that the funerals have taken place.
"The funeral was only confirmed at 9am yesterday morning yet by 2pm there was well over a thousand people that braved the freezing weather to attend Preston cemetery and this speaks volumes in how it has affected the local community and we take great comfort from this support.
"Over the last few days we have had many people visit the house and we have had Christians and Muslims sat next to each other reading verses from the Bible and Qaran praying together to the same God for them and we are proud to live in a Preston which is so tolerant and diverse."
Bashir Timol, a family friend, said: "The family understand that where you have tragic loss of life as in these circumstances then there has to be a investigative process to be followed.
"The family appreciate that during the holiday period the police and coroners office have come in during their days off to speed up the process.
"The family would especially like to thank the Preston Muslim Burial Society for washing and shrouding the bodies in a few short hours."
Mukhtar Master, a trustee of the mosque in Broadgate's Fishergate Hill where the three attended, said: "The lads will be sorely missed by the community.
"The numbers of people who attended the funeral are a testimony of their standing in the community and is also a reflection of how much events have affected the people of Preston.
"Young and old, muslim and non-muslim, all turned up to pay their respects.
The three were pronounced dead at the scene after the accident and the M62 carriageway was closed overnight for almost eight hours.
See the Lancashire Evening Post on Tuesday for the full story, including pictures from the funeral
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Weather for Preston
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: -3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South east
