The father of a passenger killed when a car crashed into a telegraph pole today told how he was praying for the driver's recovery.

Khalid Mehmood said the two men involved in the crash were as close as brothers and the families were united in their grief and suffering.

Mr Mehmood, of Fernbank Road, Undercliffe, said he was still puzzled how the crash which killed his 23-year-old son, Numan Sheikh, had happened.

He supported a police plea for witnesses to come forward.

Numan, a security guard, was the front-seat passenger of the MG ZR which crashed near Carlton Bolling College in Undercliffe Road on Saturday, February 26.

The force of the impact was so severe that the car was crushed into a horseshoe shape and the telegraph pole was uprooted and dragged down the road.

Mr Mehmood said his son had gone home from work at Morrisons in Rooley Lane and was picked up by his younger friend who also had two women passengers. The driver - whom police have not named - was doing a favour by giving a lift to another friend's wife and her sister.

The driver was seriously injured in the crash and was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary where he was stable yesterday. The two women passengers managed to clamber out of the wrecked car.

"Every mouth has a different story but no one has gone to the police yet," said Mr Mehmood. "We still don't know what happened - all I know is that his time was over. This earth was not good enough for him; he has gone to a better place."

He added: "I am not blaming anyone for what happened. My son's friend was just like a son to me. Now I'm praying for him and his family. We are grieving together."

Mr Mehmood said his family's "deep pain" had been comforted by the thousands of mourners who turned up for Numan's funeral at the Abu Bakr Mosque in Leeds Road.

Numan's younger brother, Usman Sheikh, 20, said: "Numan was always wanting to look after people. He had a good heart, not just in but out. We will miss him. It's a message for all young people to make the most of every day and not to waste it."

Numan's bride of one year, who joined him from Pakistan just three months ago, was still too upset to speak and is being looked after by the family. "She is my daughter now," said Mr Mehmood.

Anyone with information about the crash should call police on (01274) 376259.