Men who inhaled laughing gas and hit 140mph before fatal crash caught by Apple watch
Men Who Inhaled Laughing Gas and Hit 140mph Before Fatal Crash Caught on Apple Watch
Men who inhaled laughing gas and hit - The tragic crash that claimed the life of a man en route to work was captured in real time by an Apple Watch, revealing a sequence of events that combined reckless driving with the influence of laughing gas. Two individuals, Uways Hussain, 20, and Usmon Mahmood, 23, were found to have driven at speeds far exceeding the legal limit, all while under the effects of nitrous oxide, a substance commonly used for its euphoric properties.
A Speedy Descent into Disaster
On the morning of March 9, 2026, the collision occurred at the intersection of Green End Road and Kingsway in Manchester, at 4:30 am. The vehicle involved, a VW Golf GTI, was being driven by Hussain, who was accompanied by Mahmood in the front passenger seat. According to prosecutors, the pair had been engaging in high-speed driving, with videos later showing Hussain maneuvering at over 100mph, one hand on the wheel and the other occupied with a mobile phone. The crash, which happened in a 30mph zone, left 50-year-old Sylvester Abayomi dead, an outcome that could have been avoided had the men not prioritized their own actions over safety.
“The transcript of the call is truly chilling. It doesn’t reveal shock or concern for the victim,” remarked Judge Nicholas Dean KC, who presided over the case. The judge’s words underscored the lack of urgency or empathy shown by the defendants during the incident, as their Apple Watch automatically dialed emergency services following the collision.
A Testimony of Tragedy and Betrayal
Denise Doyle, the partner of the deceased Sylvester Abayomi, spoke passionately during the trial in Manchester Crown Court. She described her husband as a dedicated and hardworking individual, one who had simply intended to reach his workplace that day. “He should have returned home to me safely,” she said, her voice trembling. “Because of your actions, he never did.” Her words highlighted the personal impact of the men’s decisions, as they left Sylvester to die alone, showing no sign of compassion or humanity.
During the trial, it was revealed that Hussain had initially pleaded guilty at a magistrate’s court, admitting to causing death by dangerous driving and driving without insurance. Mahmood, who had initially denied responsibility, later confessed to aiding Hussain’s actions, leading to separate charges of complicity in both offenses. The court ultimately sentenced Hussain to 11 years and eight months in prison, while Mahmood received 12 years and nine months for his role in the incident.
Reckless Conduct and Automatic Emergency Response
The case gained notoriety for the role of the Apple Watch in capturing the defendants’ behavior. After the crash, the device triggered an automatic 999 call, which was recorded and later played in court. The transcript of the conversation between Hussain and Mahmood, who had been shouting encouragement before the crash, revealed a disturbing lack of awareness or responsibility. The men discussed leaving the scene and reporting the car as stolen, demonstrating a calculated approach to their actions.
Judge Dean KC emphasized the sustained and deliberate nature of the men’s conduct, noting that their behavior spanned a prolonged period. “You drove at extreme speeds, seemingly up to nearly 140mph, on roads with 30mph speed limits,” he stated, highlighting the severity of the offense. “This was far beyond any safe or lawful limit.” The judge’s ruling was based on evidence that included the men’s use of mobile phones, video recordings, and the inhalation of nitrous oxide, all of which contributed to their impaired state while behind the wheel.
The Weight of Consequences
Prosecutor Rachel Shenton outlined the sequence of events, stating that the men had driven into the collision without hesitation. “The Golf was being operated by the first defendant, Uways Hussain, with Usmon Mahmood as his passenger,” she said. “They were heard encouraging each other before the crash, and later fled the scene, evading officers before being apprehended.” The escape added to the severity of the case, as the defendants sought to avoid immediate accountability for their actions.
Despite their guilty pleas, the sentences handed down by the court were deemed exceptional. Greater Manchester Police noted that this was one of the highest penalties ever imposed for a single fatality in a dangerous driving case. The gravity of the offense was further underscored by the fact that the men had not only violated speed limits but also engaged in behaviors that heightened the risk of a severe accident.
Backgrounds and Redemption
Hussain, a law student working full-time at an airport, had a prior conviction for drug-driving, which may have influenced his decision-making on the day of the crash. His defense, Neil Ronan, acknowledged this history but argued that Hussain was still in the process of learning from his mistakes. Meanwhile, Mahmood, who had been preparing to begin an apprenticeship with Network Rail, expressed remorse in court. His defense, Clare Ashcroft, stated, “He is starting to understand the impact of his behavior. In my submission, he is remorseful.”
These personal details were presented to humanize the defendants, though they did not mitigate the consequences of their actions. The court’s decision to impose lengthy sentences reflected not only the physical danger they posed but also the emotional and moral weight of their choices. Detective Sergeant Thomas Johnson, commenting outside the courtroom, described the pair’s actions as “reckless, deliberate, and ultimately devastating,” noting that the sentence was among the most severe in the UK for a similar offense.
As the case unfolded, the Apple Watch’s role in documenting the incident became a pivotal element. The device’s ability to automatically call emergency services provided a clear record of the defendants’ behavior, from the moment of impact to their attempt to cover up the accident. This technological oversight served as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by both impaired driving and the distraction of mobile devices, even in the most critical moments.
The crash also sparked broader discussions about road safety and the consequences of combining high-speed driving with drug use. Experts warned that the combination of these factors significantly increases the risk of accidents, as both speed and intoxication impair judgment and reaction times. In this case, the men’s actions not only led to a fatal collision but also exposed a pattern of behavior that prioritized thrill over caution.
As the trial concluded, the evidence painted a picture of a night where two friends, driven by a sense of adventure and perhaps a disregard for rules, chose to push their limits. The result was a tragedy that would leave a lasting mark on the community and serve as a cautionary tale for those who underestimate the consequences of their decisions while behind the wheel.
Additional stories from Metro, such as the stalker who murdered an ex-partner using a device hidden in a child’s scooter, or the mystery man who smashed a £200,000 Aston Martin and sprayed “cheater” on it, highlight the varied ways in which individuals can act impulsively, leading to significant consequences. The reCAPTCHA system on the website ensures that user data is protected, aligning with Google’s privacy policies and terms of service.