Muhammad, 14, was crushed to death when he overturned a wheel loader at his summer job.
For several hours, the father Motaz searched for his son in the rain.
– There is nothing in the world that can give us our son back, he says.
On Monday, Motaz and his wife received a nightmare message – their eldest child has died.
14-year-old Muhammad died after a workplace accident at his summer job on a farm outside Ulricehamn. He is said to have ended up under a smaller wheel loader that he was driving.
– His three siblings are still crying and asking for him. They hope that one day he will return, says Motaz.
“Dreamed of becoming a police officer”
Muhammad was a quiet and shy boy who liked to spend time with his friends. He was very much looking forward to his first summer job on the farm, a big step for him. Finally he would be able to earn his own money, says the father.
– He was very proud of making his own money. With his first salary he bought a Playstation 5 but he only had time to play twice. He also ordered new clothes for the start of school, but the clothes are still on their way.
In his spare time, Muhammad liked to swim. He liked school and had big dreams. The future looked bright.
– Just a few days before his death, he told his mother that he wanted to become a police officer. He looked up to them and dreamed of one day becoming part of the police force.
“Just started screaming”
On the morning of August 10, Muhammad cycled to work as usual. He would finish at 4:00 p.m. But by noon he was still not home.
– We saved food for him and thought he would probably come home soon.
But Muhammad did not come home.
It was raining outside and worries began to grow in the family. At 8 p.m., Motaz called the employer who asked to come back.
– 40 minutes passed and we still didn’t know anything. We were very worried. I went to the workplace but found no one there. I went home again and asked if Muhammad had come home but he had not.
At 10 p.m., Motaz got hold of the employer’s son. They were riding together in the car when the son suddenly received a phone call.
– “Go home, the police will come to your house soon”, the son told me. I still didn’t know anything but felt the worry start to grow even more.
Motaz parked the car and went out into the rain in despair. Suddenly a police car stopped by him.
– They asked if I am Muhammad’s father. They said he’s dead and I just started screaming. Then I ran home and told my wife.
Investigated as a work environment violation
Two days after the accident, the employer and priests visited the family.
– The employer said that he takes all responsibility, that he is ready for whatever we want, but there is nothing in the world that can give us our son back. He also said that Muhammad himself wanted to drive the wheel loader.
The police have carried out a technical investigation. There is suspicion of work environment violations.
– I don’t really understand how you let a child drive a wheel loader, something for which you have to have training. Even if the child wants to, you have to say “no”, says Motaz.
– The whole family feels extremely bad. His mother keeps looking at his bike and says “Muhammad is home, he is here now”. I try to be strong for her but it’s hard for all of us.
Magnus Clase at the National Unit for the Environment and Work Environment is the prosecutor in the case.
– We are trying to get clarity on what has happened. Technicians have been on site and vehicle technicians will look at the vehicle, if there was anything wrong and to see how we can proceed, he previously told Aftonbladet.