Paying tribute to Mohammed Farraj, 21, who died from head injuries while working out at the UEA gym, Sharief Younis said he was "interesting, ambitious and super hardworking".

The 22-year-old, who is also studying medicine at the university, had lived with Mohammed for the last few months and was one of the first to be told he had died.

He said: "As we lived with him, we were the first to find out what had happened.

Mohammed Farraj was a second-year medical student (Image: Contributed)

"It was like a bomb had been dropped. The first few days were so hard.

"It has been an emotional test for everyone."

Emergency services were called to reports of a medical emergency at UEA Sportspark at around 7pm on October 16.

Mohammed Farraj was pronounced dead at the scene, with the coroner determining that he had died of "traumatic head injuries".

Emergency services were called to reports of a medical emergency at UEA Sportspark (Image: Steven Whitear @swjournalismm) His funeral was held in Stoke-on-Trent, where he grew up, last Thursday. 

Around 30 students from the UEA made the journey.

Sharief said: "His parents were so pleased to see us and see how loved he was by many people.

"He was interesting, ambitious and super hardworking. 

"He was really going somewhere, and it has been a tragic loss."

READ MORE: UEA student died of 'traumatic head injuries' court told

Mohammed was a practising Muslim and a key part of his belief is in Sadaqah Jariyah - the idea that charity on someone's behalf will be a means of continual reward after their death.

As such, the UEA Islamic Society has launched several fundraisers in memory of their friend, including a water well fund, which has raised more than £10,000 to build wells in drought-hit communities in Pakistan.

Flowers have been left outside the Sportspark in tribute to Mohammed (Image: Newsquest) Another fundraiser is raising money to help purchase land to build a new masjid, or mosque, in Drayton Road.

Sharief explained: "We felt we needed to raise money in his name in a way that he would have liked. 

"When we started the fundraiser for the water wells in Pakistan we expected to raise a couple of thousand pounds at most.

"It has been crazy seeing the numbers continue to climb - and a real testament to how loved Mohammed was.

"It has been overwhelming."