Two sisters, Hajra Zahid, 29, and Haleema Zahid, 25, tragically drowned in the scenic pools along the Watkin Path on Yr Wyddfa, formerly known as Snowdon, in North Wales on June 11, 2025. The sisters, both students at Chester Business School studying for their Master’s in International Business, had traveled with friends from their university to the Nant Gwynant area, a popular spot for wild swimming and hiking.
Inquests into their deaths were opened on June 18 at the Dafydd Orwig Chamber in Caernarfon, where Assistant Coroner Sarah Riley confirmed the provisional cause of death as drowning. She stated, “Hajra and Haleema had travelled to the Nant Gwynant area with friends from university. They have entered the water and sadly both died as a result of drowning.” Both women were pronounced dead shortly before 11pm on the day of the incident.
The sisters, originally from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, had made their home in Maltby, Rotherham, South Yorkshire. They were identified by a friend, Zeb Luqman, who assisted a North Wales Police officer in the formal identification process. Investigations into the circumstances of their deaths are ongoing, with the inquest adjourned to allow for the completion of these inquiries.
The Watkin Path, one of six main routes leading to the summit of Yr Wyddfa, is renowned for its natural beauty. The pools, waterfalls, and rocky areas along the path have become a magnet for wild swimmers, especially after being popularized on social media as a “paradise” for adventure seekers. However, the tragic deaths of Hajra and Haleema highlight the inherent dangers of these natural swimming spots.
North Wales Police were alerted to the incident at around 9:30pm on June 11 following reports that one woman had been pulled from the water while another remained in the pools. Emergency services, including the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, an air ambulance, and a coastguard helicopter, were dispatched to the scene. Despite their swift response, both sisters were pronounced dead at the scene.
Jurgen Dissmann, chair of the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, expressed his condolences, saying, “On behalf of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, I extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the two women who sadly lost their lives. This was a complex and difficult callout for the team, and we would like to thank our emergency service colleagues and Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team for their continued support and assistance during this callout.”
Friends and colleagues remember Haleema and Hajra as warm, dedicated individuals who had touched many lives. Dr. Bilal Saeed, a former colleague of Haleema’s at a telecommunications company in Islamabad, described her as “an exceptionally compassionate, hardworking and kind individual” who left the company to pursue higher education in the UK. Another former colleague, Sheharyar Shahnawaz, noted that Haleema had become the pillar of her family after their father’s death in 2024 and was “really excited for this new chapter” abroad.
Professor Eunice Simmons, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chester, spoke on behalf of the university community, stating, “The University of Chester community is in mourning for the tragic loss of Haleema Zahid and Hajra Zahid, and our heartfelt sympathies are with their families and friends during this incredibly difficult time. They touched the lives of many here at Chester – their friends, the cohort of their course and the staff who taught them – and they will be deeply missed.”
The sisters had joined Chester Business School earlier in 2025 and were pursuing their Master’s degrees in International Business. Their untimely deaths have sent ripples of grief through their academic community and beyond.
Authorities have appealed for anyone who was walking in the Watkin Path area between 6pm and 9pm on June 11 to come forward with any information that might assist the ongoing investigation. The inquest remains adjourned as officials continue to piece together the events leading to this heartbreaking tragedy.
The natural pools at the Watkin Path, while breathtakingly beautiful, serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable risks posed by wild swimming in remote locations. As social media continues to highlight such spots as idyllic escapes, this incident underscores the importance of caution and preparedness when venturing into nature’s more challenging terrains.
Hajra and Haleema Zahid’s story is one of promise and ambition cut short, a devastating loss to their families, friends, and academic community. Their journey from Pakistan to the UK for higher education reflected dreams of a bright future, now forever remembered in the shadow of Yr Wyddfa’s majestic peaks.
