Man dead and another injured after wall collapse in Batley

A 20-year-old man who died after a wall collapsed in Batley has been named by his family.

Emergency services were called to Perseverance Terrace at around 7.30pm on Wednesday, after reports a man was trapped under the wall.

They found two men with serious injuries. Both men were rushed to hospital, but one died shortly after.

The man's family has named him as Thaubaan Kola. They say he owned his own business and devoted much of his time to charity work. 

His cousin Abdurrauf Makda told ITV about the desperate attempt to save him.

He said: "I came back from where I teach last night - called him, thinking we could talk, chill together that evening.

"He didn't answer, and that's when I got the news about the accident he was in.

"Then we got there, tried to help him - we were pulling the rocks from off him. But we couldn't help.

"It was already too late.''

His other cousin, Umar Abid - said he was the "most popular man in town".

He said: "He was just such a jolly person - he got everyone together. always looking out for others.

"Everybody loved him for his character. He'd always have a smile.''

The incident is not believed to have been suspicious and the investigation is continuing.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: "The other male’s injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

The Health and Safety Executive has been contacted about this matter and enquiries are continuing."

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