A MAN dropped dead from a suspected heart attack after being told his brother had been killed in a car crash.

Today a community was trying to come to terms with the shocking death of two brothers who died within hours of each other.

The deaths of taxi drivers Munawar and Khadim Hussain has left friends and family devastated at the double tragedy.

Police said Munawar, 44, of Barden Lane, Burnley, was killed when he lost control of his Hackney Carriage on ice outside the Glory pub in Burnley Road, Loveclough, at about 1.30am yesterday.

And his brother Khadim collapsed and died of a suspected heart attack after hearing the news of Munawar's fatal crash shortly after, police said.

The news of the loss has left family, friends and colleagues in shock.

Former Mayor of Burnley and family friend Rafique Malik said: "I cried when I heard the news because I was so shocked and upset. Both brothers were such lovely and kind boys, it is a tragedy.

"I remember Munawar as a very pleasant young boy at Barden School when I was a teacher there and he was always so close to his brother then and they were just as close when they grew up.

"The whole family are such lovely people and they are, of course, devastated by the news. It is very sad."

Munawar, who was chairman of the town's Hackney Carriage Association, was the father of five daughters and a young son who was just a few months old.

Khadim, too, of New Hall Street, was married with children.

Transport manager at King's Taxis, Yorkshire Street, Nasar Khan, paid tribute to Munawar. He said: "He was a really nice lad and a great person to work with. It is very sad news."

The accident which killed Munawar happened just after he had dropped a group of passengers from Burnley off near the junction of Burnley Road and Commercial Street.

Police have issued an appeal for the group to come forward and speak to them as witnesses. Anyone with information should call 01282 472431.

The family of Munawar and Khadim were today too upset to speak.