A devastating incident in Perth’s south-east has claimed the life of a 19-year-old Indian national woman, identified as Komalpreet Kaur, died after being struck and pinned beneath a vehicle in a shopping center parking lot.
According to Western Australia Police, the accident occurred at approximately 11:30 PM on Saturday at the Bentley Plaza car park, located on Albany Highway near John Street. Ms. Kaur was hit by a blue Hyundai i30 hatchback.
Emergency services rushed her to Royal Perth Hospital with critical injuries, but she tragically passed away a short time later.
The driver of the Hyundai, also 19 years old, is currently assisting police with their investigation. No charges have been filed at this stage.
Investigators from the Major Crash Squad are looking into the exact cause of the accident. They have urged anyone who witnessed the crash, or who has dashcam or mobile phone footage of the area at that time, to come forward. Witnesses at the scene reported a desperate attempt by bystanders to physically lift the car off Ms. Kaur after she became trapped underneath.
The sudden loss has deeply affected the local Indian community in Perth. In response, friends and community members launched an online fundraising campaign to help return Ms. Kaur’s body to India, allowing her family to perform her final rites and lay her to rest in her homeland.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking loss of Komalpreet Kaur, a beautiful 19-year-old young woman who tragically passed away in a car accident in Perth, Australia.”
The campaign has seen an overwhelming wave of support, reportedly raising over $80,000 to assist the grieving family with funeral expenses, memorial arrangements, and repatriation costs.