On the afternoon of Thursday, August 7, 2025, a heartbreaking tragedy unfolded outside the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital in Margate, Kent. A four-year-old boy, Zaahir Jan, lost his life after being struck by a white single-decker bus near the hospital’s A&E department.
The young boy had just left the hospital on foot after visiting his grandmother when the collision occurred. Despite the efforts of emergency services, Zaahir Jan was pronounced dead shortly after being taken back inside the hospital. This devastating incident has left a family shattered, a community in mourning, and authorities searching for answers.
A Heartbreaking Loss for a Grieving Family
Zaahir Jan was described by his mother, Azaria Green, as a “sweet, funny boy with a cheeky smile” that could light up any room. The unimaginable pain of losing her young son was poignantly captured in her words on a GoFundMe page created to help cover the costs of his funeral.
“Everyone is devastated, but that word doesn’t feel like enough to explain how we are all feeling,” Azaria wrote. “Our sweet, funny boy with a cheeky smile that could make anyone’s heart full. The smile that we can’t see again. I didn’t even get to tell you how much I love you.”
The incident occurred just after 4pm, as Zaahir and his family were leaving the QEQM Hospital after visiting his grandmother. According to reports, Zaahir “fell under” the bus, a white single-decker Stagecoach vehicle, in what his mother described as an instantaneous tragedy. The suddenness of the event left Azaria grappling with profound grief and disbelief. “I am so lost, he was my son, my most beautiful little Jan,” she shared. “I don’t know what to do. I can’t believe you are gone from me. I can’t believe they couldn’t save you.”
The tragedy was compounded by the fact that Zaahir’s death came just days after another loss in the family. Azaria’s sister-in-law, Taz Green, was found dead by her teenage son on Sunday, August 3, 2025, the day before her 52nd birthday. This double blow has left the family reeling, with Zaahir’s cousin, Kyia Palmer, describing the situation as “horrific” and noting the unbearable pain of losing “tiny” Zaahir Jan so soon after another family member.
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The community has rallied around the family, with the GoFundMe fundraiser raising over £6,000 in just one day to help give Zaahir Jan the “beautiful burial” his mother hopes for. Zaahir’s father, Navid Feizi, also paid tribute to his son, calling him a “sweet and charming boy” who was “always smiling,” even in tough moments.
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The family’s grief has been palpable, with tributes pouring in from relatives and community members who remember Zaahir as a joyful child whose presence brought warmth and happiness. On Friday, August 8, 2025, family members gathered outside the hospital to create a memorial area near where Zaahir Jan was struck. They laid blankets, flowers, sweets, and handwritten letters in his honor, a small gesture to commemorate a life cut tragically short.
The Incident and Emergency Response
The collision occurred on Ramsgate Road, near the entrance to the A&E department of the QEQM Hospital, a busy area where vehicles and pedestrians frequently intersect. Kent Police reported that the white single-decker bus was traveling near the hospital entrance when Zaahir, who had exited the hospital on foot, was struck. The exact circumstances of how the collision occurred remain under investigation, but the immediate response from emergency services was swift and comprehensive.
Police and paramedics rushed to the scene, and an air ambulance from the Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance Charity landed nearby to assist in the desperate efforts to save Zaahir’s life. Despite being taken back into the hospital, the young boy could not be revived. The South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed that crews assessed and treated the pedestrian at the scene before transferring him to the nearby QEQM Hospital, where he was sadly pronounced deceased.
The incident led to the closure of Ramsgate Road in both directions for several hours as police secured the area and began their investigation. Witnesses described a somber scene, with police moving drivers away from the hospital entrance to preserve the site for evidence collection.
The tragedy has raised questions about safety protocols near hospital entrances, particularly in areas where vulnerable pedestrians, including children, may be present. While it is too early to draw conclusions, the incident underscores the need for heightened awareness and caution in such high-traffic zones.
Stagecoach, the operator of the bus involved, issued a statement expressing their condolences: “We can confirm that one of our buses was involved in a tragic incident within the grounds of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate yesterday. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family and all those affected at this incredibly difficult time.” The company also confirmed that they are cooperating fully with the police investigation and providing support to the driver involved in the incident.
Kent Police Investigation and Community Call for Information
Investigators from Kent Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are working diligently to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy. In a statement, Kent Police said: “Witnesses, CCTV, and dashcam footage are sought by officers investigating a fatal collision in Margate. Kent Police was called to Ramsgate Road shortly after 4pm on Thursday, 7 August 2025, following a report of an incident involving a bus and a pedestrian outside Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital.”
The police have urged anyone with relevant information to come forward, particularly passengers who were on the bus at the time of the incident and have not yet spoken to authorities. The investigation is focused on gathering as much evidence as possible to determine the cause of the collision. Authorities are seeking CCTV footage from the hospital and surrounding areas, as well as dashcam recordings from vehicles that may have been nearby.
Witnesses are encouraged to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit by calling 01622 798538 or emailing sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk, quoting reference KH//055/25. Footage can also be uploaded directly to a designated portal to aid the investigation.
The police appeal reflects the complexity of the case and the need for a thorough understanding of the circumstances. While no official findings have been released, the investigation will likely examine factors such as the speed and route of the bus, the visibility at the hospital entrance, and any potential contributing factors, such as pedestrian pathways or signage. The goal is to provide clarity for Zaahir’s family and to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The community response to the police appeal has been heartfelt, with many expressing a desire to help bring closure to the family. The tragedy has also sparked discussions about road safety near hospitals, where patients, visitors, and staff are constantly moving in and out. Some have called for improved signage, speed restrictions, or designated pedestrian zones to enhance safety, particularly for vulnerable individuals like young children.
A Community in Mourning and a Call for Support
The loss of Zaahir Jan has sent shockwaves through the Margate community and beyond. The outpouring of support for Azaria Green and her family reflects the deep impact of this tragedy. The GoFundMe page, which has already raised significant funds, is a testament to the community’s desire to help ease the family’s burden during this difficult time. Azaria’s plea for donations to give her son “the best and most comfortable burial” has resonated with many, who have left messages of condolence and shared memories of Zaahir’s infectious smile.
East Kent Hospitals chief executive Tracey Fletcher expressed the organization’s sorrow, stating: “We are very saddened by yesterday’s tragic incident and send our sincere condolences to the family.” The hospital, a place meant for healing, has become the backdrop for an unthinkable loss, and staff and visitors alike have been deeply affected.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on supporting Zaahir’s family and ensuring that his memory is honored. The memorial area outside the hospital, adorned with flowers and tributes, serves as a poignant reminder of a life taken too soon. For those who knew Zaahir, his “cheeky smile” and joyful spirit will live on in their hearts, even as they grapple with the pain of his absence.
This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of community in times of grief. For those who wish to contribute to Zaahir’s funeral fund, donations can be made via the GoFundMe page set up by Azaria Green. As the Margate community mourns, they also come together to support a grieving family, honor a beloved child, and seek answers to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.