Daylesford victims; Pratibha Sharma, her daughter Anvi and partner Jatin Chugh; Vivek Bhatia and his eldest son

A fundraiser has been set up for a Tarneit family whose lives were destroyed when a car ploughed into a Daylesford pub, killing a father, young son and leaving other family members in hospital.

An online fundraiser has been set up for a Tarneit family torn apart by tragedy when a car ploughed into the Royal Hotel Daylesford at the weekend, claiming five lives.

Father Vivek Bhatia, 38, and his eldest son were killed in the horrific ordeal, leaving behind wife Ruchi Bhatia, 36, and their six-year-old son who were both injured in the crash.

Mrs Bhatia and her youngest son, Abeer, remain in hospital with a “long recovery” ahead.

The crowd-funding page was launched on Tuesday with a goal of $50,000.

“We request the community to get behind the Bhatia family - Vivek and his 11-year-old son have lost their lives and Ruchi and her youngest son are hospitalised. It will be a long way to recovery and to get over this unbearable loss,” organiser Preet Singh said.

“The least we can do is to help raise funds for the family - which would assist in their recovery and future.

“The Bhatia family only recently bought their house after getting permanent residency and were a happy family. God had other plans though!”

Vivek Bhatia and his eldest son were killed. His wife Ruchi Bhatia and his youngest son were injured but survived. Picture: Facebook

The father and son were among five dead. Picture: Facebook

Pratibha Sharma, her 9-year-old daughter Anvi and partner Jatin Chugh also died after being hit by a BMW in the beer garden of The Royal Daylesford Hotel on Sunday evening.

The Bhatia and Sharma family had been good friends for about a decade and were enjoying a long weekend together when tragedy struck.

A third group of diners, including a 43-year-old Kyneton woman, a 38-year-old Cockatoo man and an 11-month-old boy were all injured.

The baby’s mother, a 34-year-old woman from Cockatoo, was not injured.

Close family friend of Vivek Bhatia, Bhupinder Bhullar, said the wider family was completely devastated.

“Vivek was a good person and a really good father,” she said.

“I am with his parents now and it’s such a big loss.”

Ms Bhullar said the boy who was killed was full of life and adored by his parents.

“He was really cheeky,” she said.

‘Life can be tragic. We never know when our time is up’

Loving mother Pratibha Sharma who once ran for state parliament was killed alongside her nine-year-old daughter Anvi and partner Jatin Chugh.

Ms Sharma was a devoted community volunteer, domestic violence advocate and worked as a registered migration agent before recently becoming a lawyer.

Family friend Preet Singh said Ms Sharma’s death was a tragedy.

Pratibha Sharma her daughter Anvi and her partner Jatin Chugh were all killed in the beer garden tragedy.

“It is incredibly shocking,” Mr Singh told the Herald Sun.

“I’m short of words. I can’t really believe this.”

Mr Singh was on Monday night heading to Ms Sharma’s Point Cook home to be with her parents.

He said Ms Sharma would be remembered as a lovely woman.

Friends were in shock after the deaths of Pratibha Sharma and partner Jatin Chugh.

“She was so happy, everything was going right for her,” he said.

“She loved her family, her career was going well. She had such a promising future.

“Life can be tragic. We never know when our time is up.”

Community members gathered outside Pratibha Sharma’s house to mourn the loss of “a beautiful human.”

Neighbour Supriya Handa said: “I’ve know her for such a longtime. I can’t believe it. We were only celebrating all together here last week.”

Pratibha Sharma was described as a loving mum to her daughter Anvi.

“Our daughters play together. I haven’t told her yet that her friends has died. How do I tell my child that?”

Ms Sharma was an active member of Point Cook’s Hindu community.

Members would attend Bhajan Group and sing religious songs together.

Many of the members attending Ms Sharma’s memorial were apart of this community and that is how they came to know of the families death.

Longtime friend of the family Sonia Cheema didn’t believe the news at first.

“It can’t be true. How can it be true?”

Loved ones are in shock at the tragic deaths.

Gurjit Singh, the secretary of Australian Sikh Support where Ms Sharma volunteered, said Ms Sharma, Jatin and Anvi were all sitting outside the front of the pub when the car smashed into them.

“It’s a terrible time for their family,” he said.

“She was very active with us during Covid-19,” Mr Singh said.

“She would deliver food boxes to people at home in quarantine.”

He said she was also very helpful providing immigration support to people in the community, adding she was “not money-minded”.

In 2018 she ran as an independent candidate for the seat of Werribee and two years later was a candidate in the Wyndham City Council elections.

She was described as “courageous” and “compassionate” in an article published during her local government election campaign.

Ms Sharma was a community volunteer, domestic violence advocate and worked as a registered migration agent before recently becoming a lawyer.

“She lives with her six-year old daughter and elderly parents and knows the importance of family. She is courageous, virtuous and compassionate and has always lent a helping hand to the community when required,” the article read.

In June, Ms Sharma was admitted as a lawyer in the Supreme Court of Victoria.

She said her family was integral to her success.

“I (would) like to thank you everyone for this achievement … specially my daughter Anvi who is always been the biggest motivation for me,” she wrote on Facebook.

Members of Victoria’s Indian Australian community are grieving the loss of Ms Sharma and her family.

Ms Sharma was described as courageous, virtuous and compassionate.

“Horrific tragedy, we are all shocked,” wrote Rajeev Kalra on social media.

Ms Sharma adored her daughter and shared their loving relationship with friends on social media.

In February, in celebration of her daughter’s birthday, she wrote online: “Can’t express my love and feelings in words. You make me complete.”

Anvi often wrote her mother notes to express her love and gratitude.

Last Mother’s Day, the girl described her mother as “magical” and “kind”.

“My mum is magical. She has the magic power to do anything. My mum is the most outstanding mum ever. My mum is sweet, kind, thankful, nice, enthusiastic and does everything,” a handwritten card read.

“I am thankful to have her. Everyday she is happy and in a good mood. I can trust her anytime.”

The family were highly involved in the Indian Australian community and would regularly attend local cultural events.

Among her community contributions, Ms Sharma volunteered for the Australian Sikh Support group which helped people struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She prided herself on assisting those in need, including women and children who were victims of violence.

“I am well aware of the concerns and issues currently being faced by women, kids, parents, local residents, and businesses,” Ms Sharma was quoted as saying in the article published during her local government election campaign.