'He was everything for me': B.C. family mourning dad who died saving son
A father from Burnaby, B.C., who managed to save his son from drowning last weekend has died in hospital.
The loss of Bakir Junaideen on Wednesday left a big hole in the hearts of his family and friends.
"I'm not OK inside because Bakir was the man for me. He was everything for me," said Farzana Abubakker, his wife of 23 years.
The pair married in Sri Lanka before moving to Canada.
Two decades and two children later, they were still happily married before his life was tragically cut short.
On Sunday, the family went to Davidson's Pool, a popular swimming hole in Maple Ridge, and there was a tubing mishap.
The couple's nine-year-old son Zaid fell, and Junaideen rushed to help him.
"He was drowning and he pushed me to a shallow end but it was still pretty deep," Zaid said. "So then somebody helped me and put me on a floatie. And they couldn't find my dad.”
Junaideen sank underwater for more than seven minutes, until Rob Payne, a nearby resident, dove into the river and pulled him out.
Payne and a few strangers tried to resuscitate him before an ambulance arrived.
"It was a heavy day," he told CTV News.
"I fell on the ground and all I could do was just pray right there," said Abubakker.
"I'm a Muslim and I have Muslim faith. All I asked was just 'Give me my husband back,' because I need him for my sons," she continued.
At 57 years old, Junaideen left a mark on the community, his wife said.
She was impressed to see hundreds of people visiting him in the hospital while he was on life support.
She described Junaideen as someone who was humble, honest, creative and soft-spoken.
"Not just a hero in the way that he died, but in the way that he lived. He was a legend. A legend of a human,” said family friend Renu Goodenough. “He really loved his kids. He was so proud of his family.”
Now a single mother, Abubakker and her family are looking for financial support.
Junaideen's nephew Mohamed Razi launched a GoFundMe on the family's behalf and has raised more than $45,000 so far.
A funeral is planned for Junaideen on Sunday near Deer Lake.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.