The man who died in a suspected carbon monoxide leak at Haveli Indian Restaurant in Riverstone has been identified as 25-year-old Nepali international student Shiva Khatri, who worked at the venue as a cleaner.
Emergency services were called to the Garfield Road restaurant around 9.15am on Tuesday after Khatri was found unresponsive inside. Despite efforts by police officers and paramedics, he could not be revived.
Khatri’s brother, Mandip, has launched a fundraising appeal to repatriate his body to Nepal. “With deep sorrow, I share that Shiva tragically lost his life yesterday morning in a workplace accident,” he wrote.
“We are raising funds to take Shiva’s body back to Nepal so that he can be laid to rest with his family… any contribution, no matter how small, will make a big difference and help us honour Shiva’s memory.”
Eralier it was reported that five police officers who attempted CPR on Khatri, along with a member of the public living above the restaurant, were taken to hospital for suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. The officers have since been released.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Gavin Wood said there were “extremely high levels” of carbon monoxide detected inside the building. While, Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry confirmed specialist firefighters detected dangerous levels of gas inside the building.
Greenway MP Michelle Rowland said she was “deeply saddened and shocked to hear of the tragic incident in Riverstone,” extending her condolences to Khatri’s family and praising first responders.
Haveli Indian Restaurant, which opened in April last year, is a popular restaurant in the area. Blacktown councillor Moninder Singh described the owners as “a young family, very humble people” who are well known in the local community.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help repatriate Khatri’s body to Nepal and support his grieving family. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and the Nepali community in Australia. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” a local community leader observed.
Authorities are continuing investigations into the cause of the leak.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
