Family and friends mourn the death of an Indian student in Waikato as he was crushed to death last week. 20 year old Dilbagh Singh Sekhon was a level 5 student of Business Management at Ntec on Hobson Street, Auckland.
Although Singh studied in Auckland but mostly stayed in Kati Kati, a region at thenorthern end of Tauranga Harbour and commuted between Auckland and Kati Kati twice weekly. Dilbagh had classes three days a week here in Auckland and worked in Kati Kati at a farm.
Dilbagh was travelling to Auckland to give his exams at Ntec on the fateful 10 April Friday morning when he met the accident at around 6.30 am on SH2 at Kerepehi, between Ngatea and Paeroa. According to an eye witness, his car crossed the centreline before colliding with an oncoming trailer unit and eventually was crushed under the wheels of the trailer.
“Dilbagh was an outgoing, honest, hardworking, and a very decent guy, his passing away is a big blow to all of us” said Gurjeet Singh, his friend and classmate from Ntec.
Dilbagh had come to New Zealand in February last year and had been driving to and from Auckland ever since. “We drove to Wellington early this year and he was really a good driver, I have no words to express my sorrow...” added Mr Gurjeet.
"He had been here about 12 months and may have felt comfortable driving on our roads," said Inspector Frank Grant Police District Maori Responsiveness Manager to media.
With winter knocking on the doors, driving on the highways will be more dangerous and caution needs to be taken by the drivers. Also the rainy season makes the road more slippery and prone to accidents.
“Last Friday though was dry but the early hours of the morning are overcast and theres dew on the road, added one of the eye witnesses.”
Friends of Dilbagh are shocked with this incident and there has also been an appeal posted on ‘Indians in New Zealand’ page on Facebook requesting the Indians to be safe on the road while driving.
They Sikh community of Auckland and Waikato region are making arrangements to send the body of the deceased back home. There is also an appeal on social media to donate to meet the required costs.
