Family of Bourke St victim Bhavita Patel heartbroken

EXCLUSIVE: THE family of Bhavita Patel — the sixth victim of the Bourke St killings — are heartbroken, saying they cannot believe she is gone.

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THE family of Bhavita Patel — the sixth victim of the Bourke St killings — are heartbroken, saying they cannot believe she is gone.

The respected Melbourne finance consultant, 33, died on Monday night after family made the heartbreaking decision to turn off her life support.

Bhavita’s brother Mitesh, 30, said the family was distraught with grief.

“I have no idea what to say about what happened except that I miss her and love her so much and can’t believe that I won’t see her any more,” Mr Patel said.

“My parents and I are broken. But we all appreciate the love we’re getting from people,” he said.

Bhavita Patel, 33, died in hospital on Monday night. Picture: Supplied

Bhavita Patel’s family is distraught with grief after she died on Monday. Picture: Supplied

Mr Patel said he spoke to his sister regularly after she moved from Canberra to Melbourne, including on the day of the tragedy.

“She was incredibly successful and had a great career with the corporate advisory section of Deloitte,” he said.

“She was cherished by so many people and we have been overwhelmed by the love and support from family and friends.”

Ms Patel, of Blackburn South, was a high-achieving and much-admired senior manager at Deloitte.

The 33-year-old was walking near her Bourke St office when she was struck by the car.

Doctors had tried to save Ms Patel, but her condition did not improve and she lay unresponsive in hospital.

She died just before 7.30pm on Monday.

Bourke St GRPO’s floral tributes before they were removed on Tuesday. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Bhavita Patel’s brother says she was cherished by many people. Picture: Supplied

Bhavita Patel’s brother says she was “incredibly successful”. Picture: Supplied

Further charges are now expected to be laid against Dimitrious “Jimmy” Gargasoulas, who is already facing five counts of murder.

Ms Patel attended the Australian National University in Canberra and worked as an accountant and adviser for the federal government before moving to Melbourne to work with the state government.

Colleagues in both Melbourne and Canberra were on Tuesday devastated by news of her death.

“She will be missed immensely,” one woman wrote in an online tribute.

“Recently promoted, she had her whole life ahead of her.

“Forever in our hearts.”

Deloitte chief executive Cindy Hook said Ms Patel’s colleagues were “deeply saddened”.

“Our thoughts are with Bhavita’s family and friends in their time of loss,” Ms Hook said.

“Bhavita was an outstanding director in our national advisory team.

“She will be deeply missed by all who knew her and the firm will honour her contribution.”

THOUSANDS ATTEND MEMORIAL AT FEDERATION SQUARE

Bourke St Memorial flowers being removed on Tuesday. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Also on Tuesday, the mother of the youngest victim of the deadly Bourke St attack said she had chosen to focus on love, kindness and compassion rather than hate and anger since her son’s death.

ZACHARY BRYANT’S MUM GRATEFUL FOR LOVE AND KINDNESS

Three-month-old Zachary Bryant was fatally injured when his pram was hit by the rogue car.

“Day two of being home and it isn’t getting any easier — yet,” said his mother, Nawwar Hassan Bryant.

“Amid all this sadness I feel so grateful to know there is so much love and kindness all around us.”

Zac’s sister Zara, 2, remains in a stable condition in the Royal Children’s Hospital.

It comes as former police commissioner Ken Lay will head the independent panel for the $1 million Bourke St fund as donations continue to roll in.

Set up in the wake of the tragedy, the panel will choose how the money will be distributed to victims and their families.

“It is a privilege to have been selected by the Premier to do this incredibly important work,”

Mr Lay said.

“Along with my Panel colleagues, I will work tirelessly to ensure those most affected receive all the help and support they need.”

Ms Carol Schwartz, Chair of the Women’s Leadership Institute Australia and Ms Wenda Donaldson from Australian Red Cross are also on the board.

Victims and their families are also entitled to compensation from the Transport Accident Commission and WorkSafe Victoria.

Larger donations include $100,000 from each of the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments and $122,250 raised on Monday during the Premier’s Cup.

Donations to the Bourke Street Fund are tax deductible, and can be made by calling 1800 226 226 or via the website: www.vic.gov.au/bourkestreet.html

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- with Alex White

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