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Son finds parents dead in swimming pool at family home after both suffered heart attacks

Health & Science

A distraught son found his parents dead in their swimming pool after they both suffered fatal heart attacks.

Nayyar Siddique, 77, collapsed during her regular exercise session in the pool in their garden.

Brave husband Aqueel, 79, a retired surgeon, jumped in to save her, but he then also suffered a fatal heart attack.

Their son, Dr Haroon Siddique, 49, found them both later the same day at their home in Thorpe Bay, Essex.

He said: "My father dedicated his life to helping people and he died trying to help my mother.

"We are very proud of everything they achieved and that gives us some solace. They were amazing people and were amazing examples to follow."

The successful couple, who were born India, had dedicated their lives to helping others.

Aqueel was renowned for working as a surgeon in Lesotho while his wife fundraised for Save the Children in the southern African country.

They had moved there with their two children Saima, now 53, and Haroon, in 1969.

The family became close friends with Lesotho's royal family, who still visit Southend to keep in touch.

They worked tirelessly to give aid to poverty-stricken families and had met the likes of Prince Harry, Princess Anne, and Pope John Paull II.

They moved to Southend to be near their two children and four grandchildren after ill health forced Aqueel to retire as a surgeon in 2012.

Aqueel and his wife died on Tuesday, July 15.

Haroon added: "The most important thing was they had been with us and their grandchildren for the last couple of years. They were really dedicated grandparents and being able to see them was a plus for both them and us."

The couple married in 1960 and first moved to England in 1962 so Aqueel could train as a surgeon.

He qualified in 1965 and went on to Lesotho in southern Africa where he became the country's only surgeon in 1969.

He was only supposed to be there on a year's placement, but their passion to help improve the lives of the country's one million citizens saw them stay.

They developed a strong friendship with the royal family of Lesotho - King Moshoeshoe II and his sons - the current king King Letsie and Prince Seeiso.

Aqueel developed many new medical services and his dedication to the people of Lesotho saw him awarded an OBE in 1973, aged just 38. He was also given the Order of Mothlomi by the King of Lesotho, the highest award a civilian can get.

His wife, Nayyar, was there by his side every step of the way, and dedicated her life by working with Save the Children in Lesotho.

Joining forces with the Queen of Lesotho, Nayyar, fundraised to take aid to the remote mountain villages, ensuring they recieved food and goods.

Son Haroon said: "My father had a passion for teaching and supported and guided many young doctors in their training who have subsequently enjoyed successful medical careers all over the world.

"My mother was a steadfast partner of his throughout his life and provided her children and grandchildren the support, guidance and love which will remain with them all. She was instrumental in the early work of The Save the Children organisation did in Lesotho and assisted in much charity work.

"Though they met many famous and important people in their lives, they remained humble people."

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