Workplace Safety Questioned
Tesco Security Guard Dies After Choking Incident, Sparks Calls for Enhanced Workplace Safety
Key Points
Mohamed Nassar was a former musician.
His family includes a 23-year-old son Seif Abdelwaneis, and his mother Nancy Elkarnshawy, along with sisters Nariman and Malak, who publicly spoke about his death.
The incident occurred on May 8, 2026, at the Tesco Express on New Bailey Street in Salford.
The family noted financial difficulties during the hospital period.
Mohamed Nassar, a 58-year-old security guard, died on June 22 after choking on a doughnut at a Salford Tesco Express on May 8, 2026. His heart stopped for 23 minutes before paramedics could stabilise him, leaving him with severe brain damage. He never regained consciousness and spent 44 days in hospital before he died, according to Wales Online.
Nassar was a father of three and a former musician who had moved from London to Manchester in 2020. He worked for a third-party security firm for around five years. His son Seif Abdelwaneis, 23, described him as "the kindest person" and "a wonderful person who was deeply loved," Leeds Live reported.
How a Work Break Became a Fatal Emergency
Nassar was on a break at the Tesco Express on New Bailey Street in Salford when he began eating a doughnut to help take his prescribed medication. He started choking and collapsed on the shop floor. Colleagues and customers witnessed the incident. Emergency services were called immediately, according to Examiner Live.
Paramedics arrived and resuscitated him. But his heart had already stopped for 23 minutes. That length of time without blood flow to the brain caused irreversible damage. He was rushed to hospital in a critical condition and placed on life support, where he remained until ventilation was withdrawn on June 21.
Family Left Grieving and Searching for Legal Support
Nassar's wife Nancy Elkarnshawy and his children — son Seif and daughters Nariman, 28, and Malak, 14 — were described as being in "complete shock" after his collapse, Head Topics reported. The family maintained a hospital vigil for all 44 days. As the sole breadwinner, Nassar's absence placed the family under immediate financial strain.
In a statement issued on June 23, the family said: "We continue to search for legal assistance and support but have unfortunately had little luck to date." A GoFundMe page was set up to cover funeral costs and support the family. Tesco confirmed Nassar was employed by a third-party security firm, not directly by the supermarket chain.
Tesco Offers Condolences but Keeps Its Distance
The manager of the New Bailey Street Tesco Express, Osarugue Onaghise, released a statement saying: "On behalf of all our colleagues, we remain deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Mohamed. Our thoughts remain with his family and friends." Tesco did not comment further on any duty-of-care questions, according to Wales Online.
Because Nassar worked for an outside security contractor, Tesco is not his direct employer. This arrangement is common in UK retail but leaves workers in a legal grey area when it comes to employer responsibilities. The family's search for legal help suggests questions remain about who held a duty of care during those critical 23 minutes.
A Wider Safety Gap for Frontline Retail Workers
Nassar's death has drawn attention to medical emergency training in UK retail. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) now requires all security guards to hold an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification when renewing their licence — a rule introduced in October 2024. The qualification covers choking response and airway management. But smaller Express-format stores often have fewer staff on hand during a crisis.
The UK retail sector recorded over 75,000 workplace accidents in 2025, according to the iHasco 2026 Risk Index, which gave retail a risk score of 85 out of 90 — equal to construction. Analysts have called for mandatory defibrillators and choking-response devices in smaller stores. For now, Nassar's family says they are still waiting for answers, Leeds Live reported.
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