Imagine a serene day at a breathtaking natural wonder, only for it to turn into a heartbreaking tragedy. Two sisters lost their lives while enjoying a simple paddle in the waters of Snowdonia National Park, Wales. But here’s where it gets even more poignant—neither of them knew how to swim, yet they ventured into the water fully clothed. This raises questions about safety awareness and the hidden dangers of seemingly tranquil spots.
Hajra Zahid, 29, and her younger sister Haleema, 25, were visiting the picturesque Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park in the Nant Gwynant area of Gwynedd on June 11, 2025. Accompanied by three male friends, all students at the University of Chester, the group had split up for privacy and cultural reasons. The sisters, originally from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, had come to the UK in January 2025 to pursue master’s degrees in international business. Their story is a stark reminder of how quickly a day of exploration can turn tragic.
The sisters headed to a pool upstream on the Afon Cwm Llan river, while their friends remained elsewhere. Later, when the men called out for them, there was no response. Upon reaching the pool, they found the sisters’ shoes and belongings by the water’s edge. Tragically, they discovered Hajra, a married mother of two, floating face down in her red dress. Despite pulling her to safety, she remained unconscious. Haleema was later found by the Llanberis mountain rescue team in deep water near the waterfall. Both sisters were pronounced dead at the scene.
And this is the part most people miss—the coroner’s findings shed light on the unexpected dangers of such natural spots. Assistant Coroner Sarah Riley concluded that the sisters had intended only to paddle, not to swim, given their inability to swim and their fully clothed state. She suggested that one or both may have slipped from an ‘exceptionally slippy’ rock at the pool’s edge—a hazard even the rescue team members experienced firsthand. The deaths were ruled accidental, with drowning being the cause.
Riley extended her condolences to the sisters’ family and friends, calling the case ‘extremely tragic.’ She also urged the public to exercise caution around such bodies of water. Hajra’s husband, Hessham Minhas, described her as a ‘determined, ambitious woman’ who prioritized family and believed in the power of education. Her legacy, he said, lives on in the lives she touched and the family she left behind.
But here’s the controversial part: Could this tragedy have been prevented with better safety measures or public awareness? While the coroner’s findings highlight the sisters’ lack of swimming ability and the slippery conditions, it raises broader questions about how we perceive and interact with natural environments. Are we doing enough to educate visitors about potential risks? Or do we assume that such beauty spots are inherently safe?
This tragic story serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of caution, even in the most idyllic settings. It also invites us to reflect on how we can better protect ourselves and others while enjoying nature. What do you think? Should more be done to safeguard these areas, or is it ultimately the responsibility of individuals to assess risks? Share your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation worth having.
