Family and friends are mourning the death of an Indian national Harvinder Singh, who died in a road accident near Perth in Western Australia last week.
His life was tragically cut short in a fatal traffic crash that occurred in Henley Brook on Thursday, 13 June 2019.
Mr Singh was driving a ‘bread-delivery van’ at the time of the accident.
Police told SBS Punjabi that at around 6:40AM, a van travelling along Gnangara Road collided with a truck and semi-trailer combination turning out of Robert Street.
The accident was so horrendous that the upper body of van was totally crushed.
20-year-old Mr Singh was taken to the hospital but later died due to the injuries sustained in the crash.
Mr Singh had come to Australia about 14 months ago. He was an international student enrolled in a Mechanical Engineering course at the ACU, Perth.
Mr Singh’s brother-in-law Kuldeep Singh told SBS Punjabi that he moved to Australia as an international student just over a year ago from Ferozepur, Punjab in India.
Source: Supplied
“We’re in absolute shock and disbelief. He came here to build a better and prosperous life and this happened,” said Mr Singh.
“We’ve just informed his parents back in India. We’re now waiting to get the body from Coroner before sending it back to India.”
"He was very hard working, vibrant and full of energy. We will miss him dearly.”
Gurdarshan Singh, Vice-President Sikh Association of Western Australia (SAWA) has expressed his grief over the death of Mr Singh.
“It is always heart-wrenching to see a young life snatched away from us in such tragic circumstances. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends,” said Mr Singh.
“We are a small community in Perth. Everybody knew him as he often visited the Sikh temple. They are all in extreme disbelief over this tragic loss.”
Meanwhile, arrangements are now being put in place to transfer Mr Singh's mortal remains to India.
Mr Singh said that SAWA has offered assistance to the family who wants the body to be repatriated to his native place in Punjab.
“We plan to send the body back to India in the next two-three days. It is currently with the Coroner who is still investigating,” said Mr Singh.
Mr Singh told SBS that SAWA and Indian Consulate in Perth aim to provide financial support to the family.
“I don’t have exact figures but we want to assist with the total costs…. We are trying to arrange the carrier to the Amritsar Airport which is close to Mr Singh’s native village near Ferozepur in Punjab.
“SAWA will spend the costs from an emergency relief fund which was set with the help of community members to assist people in need.
The impact of Mr Singh's death has touched many, including the Indian-Australian community living in Perth.
His friends have expressed their grief over the tragic circumstances leading to his death.
“It was a tragic end to a young life. He came to Australia as an international student to build his life as a migrant. But it was not his fate,” said Sahab Bishnoi.
“He was a lovely person. We used to play Volleyball together.”
Mr Bishnoi said he’ll remember Mr Singh as a ‘noble man with a beautiful soul’.
"He was the type of person who was always willing to help people in need."
"May God give his family and friends strength to cope up with this tragic loss.”
Major Crash investigators are seeking witnesses who may have seen the crash or saw the Fiat Ducato or Kenworth Truck and semi-trailer in the area before the crash, or who have dash cam footage from the area.
They are asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at
Mr Singh’s death has been referred to the Coroner.
