Tributes flow for Shalu Chawla after Parramatta bus crash death

Friends of the woman who police will allege was killed after a bus and BMW collided in Parramatta have spoken about their devastation over her death and anguish for her husband.

Friends of a ‘lovely’ woman who police will allege was killed after a bus and BMW collided at Parramatta have spoken about their devastation over her death and anguish for her husband, who has been charged following the fatality.

Shalu Chawla, 46, and her 54-year-old husband Rajpal Singh were on their way to Canberra, where they planned to expand their Parramatta-based security business Vigil Training College, close to where the fatal collision occurred on Saturday at Argyle St.

Police allege the grey BMW sedan and bus collided near the O’Connell St intersection shortly after 8am.

Ms Chawla, who was the front-seat passenger, was unable to be freed from the wreckage and died at the scene.

Friends say Shalu Chawla’s life revolved around her children. Picture: Facebook

Shalu Chawla, with her husband Rajpal Singh, has been remembered as the life of the party.

Mr Singh and the 66-year-old bus driver were taken to Westmead Hospital with minor injuries and for mandatory testing.

There were no passengers on the bus at the time.

Family friend Ajay Kataria said he had known The Ponds couple and their son Sehaj and daughter Ankita for 16 years.

“Everyone of us who knew Shalu (remember her as) very talkative, very lovely,’’ he said.

“If 10 people were sitting, having a chat or having a party, you’ll see her bubbly, making everyone laugh and having a smile.’’

He said the couple, who had been married for about 28 years, just finished building their dream home at The Ponds and moved into the neighbourhood four months ago.

Rajpal Singh and Shalu Chawla had built their dream home at The Ponds.

Mr Kataria said Mrs Chawla was sociable but “very homely”.

“Her entire world is for her husband and kids,’’ he said.

The family matriarch was also a strong businesswoman and was devoted to her “noble’’ husband, who were both well known in the Indian community, including the Sant Nirankari Mission at Glendenning where she worshipped.

Police at the scene of the fatality on Argyle St, Parramatta. Picture: Tim Hunter

On Sunday, he estimated 400 people flocked to the family home to pay their respects to her children and husband, who will face court next month after being charged following the death.

“His entire world has been shattered,’’ Mr Kataria said.

“The one thing he loved is his wife. I think we should learn from them.’’

Blacktown councillor Moninder Singh had known the family briefly as neighbours since they moved to The Ponds.

“The whole suburb is in shock,’’ he said.

Mr Singh said the community had turned out to support the woman’s husband, who was “in great shock”.

“He lost a partner in very tragic circumstances.’’

Crash Investigation Unit officers and Parramatta police are investigating the incident.

Her husband was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death (drive manner dangerous), negligent driving (occasioning death) and proceeding through a red traffic light (not toll booth).

The man’s driver’s licence was suspended and he was given conditional bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on June 9.

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