Three Armstrong Creek family members identified as victims of Stoneleigh crash nightmare
Two parents and their three-year-old son killed in a horror fatal crash are being remembered for their kindness and warmth following the unthinkable tragedy.
Two parents and their three-year-old son killed in a horrific fatal collision west of Melbourne are being remembered for their kindness and warmth following the unthinkable tragedy.
Armstrong Creek couple Krishna and Sapana Bhandari, 41 and 31, and their son, Ruben, have been identified as the victims of the horror crash that has torn the heart out of a tight-knit community.
The three died at the scene when a car travelling west along Eurambeen-Streatham Rd outside of Stoneleigh, about 200kms west of Melbourne, collided with a truck.
Tragically, they leave behind a five-year-old daughter.
President of the Geelong Nepalese Association, Niraj Karanjeet, said their family and friends were in “deep mourning” in the wake of the nightmare.
“This has been very heartbreaking and has hit the community hard,” Mr Karanjeet said.
“We are all just so saddened.
“It is the worst thing to happen to us in the 15 to 17 years since we formed.”
It’s understood Sapana’s elderly mother was the other occupant flown to the Alfred Hospital with critical injuries on Tuesday.
She was in a stable condition on Thursday.
Mr Karanjeet, who has known the family since 2017, said they “embodied a wonderful community spirit” after migrating from Nepal.
Their daughter attends primary school at Armstrong Creek.
“They were incredibly caring,” he said.
“I also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured grandmother.”
Their Nepal-based relatives have been informed of their death with the help of the Nepalese Consulate.
The Geelong Nepalese Association also paid tribute to the trio in a touching online tribute.
“Words cannot express the pain and sorrow we feel at this heartbreaking moment,” the statement read.
“We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to their family and relatives.
“May their beautiful souls rest in eternal peace, and may their loved ones find strength and comfort during this unimaginable time.”
Another friend, Santosh Parajuli, said many had been left heartbroken at the loss of the Nepali couple and son.
She said emergency relief fundraising efforts had been launched to assist with funeral and other expenses.
“This sudden and unimaginable loss has left loved ones and our entire community in deep sorrow,” she said.
Major crash detectives have launched a probe into the hellish collision.
It’s understood the Bhandari’s vehicle may have passed through a stop sign and T-boned a B-double truck, at the intersection with Mount Williams Rd.
The truck driver was assisting police with their inquires.
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Originally published as Three Armstrong Creek family members identified as victims of Stoneleigh crash nightmare
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