A young Indian-origin father has died after being struck by a semi-trailer on the Federal Highway near Canberra, just three weeks after he and his wife welcomed a newborn daughter.
Harsh Sharma, 30, was struck on the Federal Highway near Bungendore Road at Bywong, about 25 kilometres northeast of Canberra, at around 9.40 pm on Thursday, September 3.
Emergency services attended the scene, but Mr Sharma died there. The truck driver, also aged in his 30s, was taken to Canberra Hospital for mandatory testing. Police established a crime scene and launched an investigation with assistance from the Crash Investigation Unit.
Mr Sharma lived in Canberra with his wife and two young daughters and worked in healthcare. He was originally from Mandi Gobindgarh in Punjab, India.
His death has devastated his family in Australia and India.
Only three weeks earlier, the family had celebrated the birth of their youngest daughter.
A GoFundMe campaign organised by his childhood friend Harkirat Singh, along with Tanjot and Shabir, describes Mr Sharma as a husband, son, friend and, above all, a father whose life ended far too soon.
“Harsh passed away suddenly and tragically at just 30 years old, leaving behind his loving wife and two beautiful little daughters,” the fundraiser says.
“What should have been one of the happiest chapters of their lives has suddenly become a period of unimaginable grief.”
The campaign says Mr Sharma’s youngest daughter was only three weeks old when he died.
His wife is now grieving while caring for two young children, including a newborn, while his parents and extended family in India are mourning the loss of their son from thousands of kilometres away.
Friends say arrangements are being made to repatriate Mr Sharma’s remains to Punjab.
The fundraiser has been established to assist with immediate expenses, support Mr Sharma’s wife and children and provide some longer-term financial stability for the family.
As of September 13, the campaign had raised almost $70,000 of its $100,000 target from about 990 donations.
The organiser has also published details about how the money will be distributed.
According to the fundraiser, the net funds will initially be received by Mr Singh in Australia before being divided equally, with 50 per cent going to Mr Sharma’s wife and 50 per cent going to his parents in India.
Mr Singh said the arrangement had been made with the knowledge and permission of Mr Sharma’s wife and parents and that he would not retain any of the funds for himself.
He said records of the funds received and transfers made to the family would be maintained.
The appeal has struck a chord with the community, with hundreds of people contributing within days.
The campaign urges those unable to donate to share the fundraiser with others.
“His daughters have already lost their father. They should not have to lose their sense of security as well,” the fundraiser says.
Police inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash are continuing.
Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
For Mr Sharma’s friends and family, however, the focus is now on supporting the wife, daughters and parents he leaves behind.
At just 30 years old, he had recently entered what should have been one of the happiest periods of his life.
Instead, his wife is now raising two daughters without their father, including a baby who had been in the world for only three weeks when he died.
The fundraiser asks the community to remember Mr Sharma not for the circumstances of his death, but for the life he lived and the people he loved.
Gofundme link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/father-gone-too-soon-at-30-help-his-wife-two-little-girls
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