Auckland’s Indian community is mourning the death of a father of two who died after being struck by a vehicle while cycling home from work.

Bhupesh Patel was critically injured when he was hit on Rosebank Road in Avondale at about 3.50pm on 2 September. He died in hospital on Saturday from injuries sustained in the crash.

Patel was a husband and father to two young boys and was remembered by colleagues as a kind, generous and dedicated member of the JMP Engineering team.

On the day of the crash, Patel had left work earlier than usual because he wanted to get home in time to take his sons to their Kempo class.

He never made it home.

“Tragically, he was struck by a vehicle before he made it home,” a fundraising campaign established by his friends and colleagues said.

The campaign, launched on 7 September to support Patel’s family following his sudden death, has quickly drawn support from the community, with more than $15,000 raised.

Patel’s colleagues described him as someone who was always willing to help others, saying his warmth, humour and friendship were as valued as his professional ability and dedication.

The fundraising campaign said all money raised would go directly to Patel’s family to help meet the immediate and ongoing financial pressures following his death.

Police have confirmed that the Serious Crash Unit examined the scene and that inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the collision remain ongoing.

Patel’s death has left his family, friends and colleagues facing the loss of a man whose final journey home was meant to be an ordinary part of his day.

Instead, it became a tragedy that has brought together colleagues and members of the wider community to support his wife and two young sons.

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