• Two sisters drown while canoeing
• Investigation rules out foul play

A judicial investigation revealed that two sisters drowned in a popular visitor area of Snowdonia National Park in the UK while canoeing.

Hajra Zahid, 29, was recovered from the waters near Watkin’s Pools, and her sister Halima Zahid, 25, was later found by a local rescue team.

Rescue officials said the sisters, who could not swim, may have slipped or fallen and were unable to get out of the water.

Hajra’s husband, Hashim Mannas, described her as “a woman who inspired everyone around her” during a hearing.

The investigation showed that the sisters, originally from Pakistan and living in Rotherham, had traveled with three friends from the University of Chester to the national park.

They walked for about 40 minutes along the Watkin path leading to the top before splitting up near the terraced pools.

The sisters, who were pursuing master’s degrees, went to the upper section of the pools, but did not respond to repeated calls from their friends when it was time to return.

One witness said Hajra was recovered floating face down, while Halima was later rescued by the team. Both were pronounced dead at the scene, with the post-mortem confirming drowning as the cause of death.

Medical examiner assistant Sarah Riley said the sisters had not intended to swim in the deep water, only to paddle, and added that the sequence of events could not be determined precisely. There were no signs of foul play or third-party involvement.

Riley described the incident as a tragic accident and extended condolences to the sisters’ family and friends, warning the public about the dangers of entering the pools.

During the hearing, Hashim Mannas described Hajra as “ambitious and determined, believing strongly in the power of education,” while family friend Raja Azim said of Halima: “She was always in our prayers, a beloved daughter, sister, and aunt.”