A close-knit Nepalese community in Victoria is in mourning after a devastating crash west of Melbourne claimed the lives of a couple and their three-year-old son.
Krishna and Sapana Bhandari, aged 41 and 31, and their son, Ruben, were killed instantly when their car collided with a B-double truck on Eurambeen-Streatham Road, near Stoneleigh, about 200 kilometres west of Melbourne, around 9.30 am on Tuesday.
The young family, who had migrated from Nepal in 2017 and lived in Armstrong Creek near Geelong, left behind their five-year-old daughter.
Sapana’s elderly mother, who was a passenger in the car, survived the horrific crash and was airlifted to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne with life-altering injuries. Her condition has since stabilised.
President of the Geelong Nepalese Association, Niraj Karanjeet, said the tragedy had left the local community shattered.
“This has been very heartbreaking and has hit the community hard,” he told the Geelong Advertiser.
“It is the worst thing to happen to us in the 15 to 17 years since we formed.”
He described the Bhandari family as kind, caring, and deeply community-minded.
“They were incredibly loving people who embodied a wonderful community spirit,” Mr Karanjeet said. “I also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured grandmother.”
In an emotional tribute posted online, the Geelong Nepalese Association expressed its grief and solidarity:
“Words cannot express the pain and sorrow we feel at this heartbreaking moment.
We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to their family and relatives.
May their beautiful souls rest in eternal peace, and may their loved ones find strength and comfort during this unimaginable time.”
Major Crash Investigation Unit detectives are examining the circumstances of the collision, with early reports suggesting the family’s vehicle may have missed a stop sign before colliding with the oncoming truck. The truck driver is assisting police with inquiries.
The tragedy has united the Nepalese community in grief, with many remembering the Bhandaris for their warmth, generosity, and devotion to family.