A BOLTON father has been killed in the horrific Saudi crane crash tragedy.

Qasim Akram, aged 33, was one of the 107 people killed when a construction crane fell into the Grand Mosque in the Saudi city of Mecca at the start of the annual hajj pilgrimage.

The father-of-four, from Halliwell, who is believed to be a private hire driver, had been in the Grand Mosque with his parents when the crane struck the mosque which is Islam's holiest site.

Former Westhoughton High School pupil Mr Akram flew out with his mother and father — who are still there — on Friday and he was killed later that day. His parents, Mr and Mrs Mohammad Akram, are believed to have escaped without injury.

Councillor Akhtar Zaman, local councillor for Halliwell, said he had seen Mr Akram only days before his death.

He said: "I saw him on Wednesday and he was really looking forward to it, smiling and asking me for tips because I went last year.

"He was on hajj pilgrimage to Mecca with his parents, Mr and Mrs Mohammad Akram. He arrived on Friday morning. He was in the Grand Mosque with his family and that's when the crane struck.

"They (him and parents) were in the same vicinity, the same area but he was maybe 50 yards ahead of his parents and that's when the accident happened. They lost contact with him and they couldn't find him. They found out last night and the authorities identified him."

Councillor Zaman added: "I knew Qasim personally, he was the most pleasant, hard-working, smiling and helpful young man you could ever meet.

"He's from quite a big family and they are devastated to the core. He is married and has four kids. I think the youngest may be one-and-a half or two years-old. People are praying at the mosques.

"I don't know how to describe this loss. He was a member of the mosque and very active. He was the son of one of the founding members. He helped with the affairs of the mosque and the running of the mosque. His father was the secretary. He was very close to his family.

"It is a huge loss to the family and a big loss for the wider community."

The Al Masjid Al Aqsa mosque in Gilnow Road Heaton, posted a photograph and a tribute to Mr Akram, saying: "Haji Qasim sab's father has asked for this picture to be shared in his memory.

"We share not only the picture but also the pain and grief of his departure from this world to the eternal abode of bliss."

Mohammad Altaf Arif, of Arif Hajj & Umrah Services, the travel operator who flew the family out on Friday, confirmed that it was Mr Akram's first Hajj.

He said: "We can confirm that a gentleman from Bolton was killed on Friday. His flight arrived in Mecca on Friday. His parents are with him. He was a young man on his first Hajj. The Saudi authorities has been excellent. We are grateful for their help."

The Saudi government said the accident happened during a severe storm carrying strong winds and heavy rain and that at least 107 people had been killed and 238 people were also reported to be injured.

The Foreign Office said it was working with the nation's authorities as they attempt to identify the victims, whose nationalities remain unknown.

Rashid Mogradia, CEO of the Council of British Hajjis, a national charity providing support for British pilgrims based in Bolton said: "Our immediate thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased and with all those who have been affected by this tragic accident. The council commends the efforts by the Saudi Authorities and the British Consulate in Saudi Arabia who have been working hard to support those affected."

Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South East, tweeted: “Saddened to hear that a young man from #Bolton was amongst those killed in tragic Saudi crane collapse. Thoughts and prayers w/ the family.”

The Saudi civil defence authority said on Twitter it believed winds caused the crane to fall, while the response had involved more than 130 medical and rescue teams.

It posted images of the damage caused to the Grand Mosque, which contains the cube-shaped Kaaba building that is central to rituals performed during Hajj.

The crane was among several being used to expand the area around the mosque to allow it to accommodate millions of Muslims from across the globe who travel to worship there during the pilgrimage.

Mecca's significance in Islam is such that Muslims pray towards it every day.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman was unable to confirm the man's death, but added: "We are liaising closely with the Saudi authorities following the crane collapse at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and stand ready to provide support to anyone affected."