Three Punjabis killed in New Zealand road crash identified

The identities of the three Punjabis who lost their lives in a car crash on Diwali night in Auckland city, New Zealand, have come to light. A newly married couple and their brother-in-law passed away in this unfortunate incident. Efforts are now underway to send their bodies back to their homeland for final rites.

The deceased include 33-year-old Sukhdeep Singh, a resident of village Goniana Khurd in Bathinda district. His 29-year-old wife Sukhveer Kaur hailed from village Rauke Kalan in Moga district. The third victim has been identified as the couple's brother-in-law, 38-year-old Gurpreet Singh.

Sukhdeep Singh had been living in New Zealand for over seven years and managed his courier business there. He was married to Sukhveer Kaur earlier this year, who had joined her husband abroad just a few months ago. Gurpreet Singh had also been driving a courier van in New Zealand for the past nearly three years.

The tragic accident took place on the night of November 8 on Great South Road in the Takanini area of south Auckland. The three were returning home after paying obeisance at Gurdwara Sahib on the occasion of Diwali.

According to the police, shortly after leaving the religious place, their vehicle lost control, veered off the road and crashed into a restaurant building. The impact was so severe that all three occupants of the car died on the spot.

Following the incident, the Punjabi community living on foreign soil has launched an online crowdfunding campaign to cover the expenses of sending the bodies to Punjab and to help the family.

Key developments

• Uncontrolled car crashed into restaurant in Takanini, Auckland on Diwali night
• Three Punjabis returning after paying obeisance at Gurdwara Sahib lost their lives
• Deceased include newly married couple Sukhdeep Singh, Sukhveer Kaur and brother-in-law Gurpreet Singh
• Community continues fundraising efforts to bring bodies back to India