HIGH Wycombe's Muslim community has been left in mourning as hundreds gathered to pay their respects after the tragic deaths of two young brothers and their aunt in a car accident on the M6 on Christmas Day.

Brothers Adnan Habib, aged ten, and four-year-old Mohammed Arsalaan Habib both died in the crash on the M6 on Tuesday, along with 32-year-old Bushra Tazarib.

All three were from High Wycombe and were travelling to a wedding in Manchester when their car overturned on the northbound carriageway between junctions 14 and 15 near Stoke-on-Trent.

The boys’ mother, who was driving, survived, as did another female passenger.

Both women have been discharged from hospital following treatment after the crash.

Yesterday hundreds of members of the shocked Muslim community rallied to pay their respects to the family at Totteridge Mosque.

Mohammed Rafiq, committee member of the Wycombe Islamic Mission and Mosque Trust, said: “At the moment the whole community is shocked at such a tragedy.

“It’s bad enough at any time but especially at this festive time.

“It’s so sad to lose three family members, who have passed away in such a tragic way.

“They are such a polite and decent family. This could not have happened to nicer people.

“Droves and droves of people converged to Totteridge Mosque and people are paying their condolences to them.”

He added it was hoped the funeral could be held tomorrow after Friday prayers, if the authorities could release the bodies in time.

Chief Supt. Martin Evans of Staffordshire Police said on Tuesday: “Colleagues from the emergency services have worked seamlessly throughout the day in these very sad and exceptionally difficult circumstances.

"Unfortunately, the outcome is extremely tragic and our thoughts are with the families of those who have died.”