44-year-old Indian-origin lawyer Pratibha Sharma was tragically killed along with her daughter, Anvi (9-year-old), and partner, Jatin (30-year-old) in the Daylesford hotel crash.
The Point Cook family were killed in the tragic crash that happened at the Royal Daylesford Hotel, north of Melbourne, when a BMW ploughed through the diners.
Victoria Police have also confirmed that a 38-year-old Tarneit man, Vivek Bhatia, and his 11-year-old son died instantly.
Further, the man’s 36-year-old wife and six-year-old son were rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
Another group, including a baby, was also injured in the incident.
A friend of Pratibha’s family posted on Facebook:
“It is very sad and shocking news … a big loss for community.”
In June 2023, Pratibha was admitted as a Lawyer in the Supreme Court of Victoria and has also ran for Victorian state parliament and local council.
She was well-known in the Indian Diaspora community for working tirelessly as a volunteer.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has tweeted that he is “deeply saddened” by the tragedy.
Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan MP has offered condolences to the family and friends of the dead and injured.
The pub in Daylesford was filled with hundreds of diners due to the long weekend before Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup public holiday.
Emergency services were called to Royal Hotel in Daylesford after a white BMW X5 crashed into the busy venue and struck patrons just after 6pm on Sunday.
Victoria Police are trying to piece together the exact circumstances of the fatal car crash.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton told the media that all the victims were all visitors to the area.
“It’s believed all of those killed aren’t locals, not from the Daylesford area, but visitors, just going about their everyday life, just enjoying themselves on a beautiful sunny afternoon.”
The Police Commissioner added a breath test found there was no alcohol in his system.
“It is still very early days in this investigation.”
The driver of the SUV, a 66 yo Mount Macedon man, is expected to be interviewed by Victoria Police’s major crash investigators.
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