Punjab-origin man killed in Australia truck crash, leaves behind wife and 2 daughters including newborn | World News

Harsh Sharma/Image: GOFUNDME

An Indian-origin healthcare worker has died after being struck by a semi-trailer near Canberra, Australia, just three weeks after the birth of his second daughter.Harsh Sharma, 30, was hit 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, but Sharma died at the scene, Australia Today reported.Police established a crime scene and began investigating the crash with assistance from the Crash Investigation Unit. The truck driver, who is also in his 30s, was taken to Canberra Hospital for mandatory testing.Sharma lived in Canberra with his wife and two daughters and was originally from Mandi Gobindgarh in Punjab, India. His youngest child was only three weeks old when he died.A fundraiser organised by Sharma’s childhood friend Harkirat Singh, along with Tanjot and Shabir, has been launched to support his wife and children and help cover immediate and longer-term expenses.His parents and extended family are mourning his death, while arrangements are being made to repatriate his remains to Punjab.By September 13, around 990 people had contributed nearly $70,000 to the appeal, as per the report.According to details posted by the organisers, the net funds raised will initially be received by Singh in Australia before being divided equally. Half will go to Sharma’s wife and the other half to his parents in India.Singh said the arrangement was made with the knowledge and permission of Sharma’s wife and parents. He also said he would not keep any of the money and that records of donations received and transfers to the family would be maintained.