Highlights
- 25-year-old Indian-origin man dies in a fatal collision in Australia
- Bhupinder Singh 'Bobby' was riding his motorbike when he was hit by a truck in West Melbourne
- Bobby is remembered as a 'hardworking and passionate' man by friends and family
Mr Singh, also known as Bobby, was returning home to his wife and three-year-old daughter when his motorbike was fatally struck by a truck at the intersection of Anderson Road and Appleton Dock Road at about 3.50 pm on October 28.
Remembered as an ace driver and a passionate biker, Bobby’s New Zealand-based elder brother, Harmohit Singh told SBS Punjabi that it has been days since his brother’s death, but he is still unable to fathom that Bobby was killed in a road accident.
“Bobby was passionate about bikes and had been driving a B double truck for the past five years. In fact, every time I would visit him in Melbourne, he would give me tips on improving my driving,” said the 28-year-old.
“He was a very confident and expert driver. I still cannot believe we lost him in a road accident.”
'Bobby was an achiever'
Bhupinder Singh Bobby Source: Supplied
Originally from Nawanshahr in the northern Indian state of Punjab, Bobby came to Australia as a student at the young age of 18 and had just received his permanent residency grant in January this year after eight years.
“Bobby was extremely hardworking, focused and all about his life goals. He was the youngest among our generation of cousins but was an achiever who had built his home and had realised all his dreams at a very young age,” said the doting brother.
Mr Singh, who is on an essential skills work visa in Wellington said it has been extremely difficult to grieve as the family’s loss has been aggravated because of their inability to travel to Australia amid COVID-induced border restrictions.
While Mr Singh remains stuck in New Zealand, his father, the only one in the family with a valid Australian visa could not travel from India for his son’s last rites, because of the long journey and impending health risks.
Harmohit Singh (L) and Bhupinder Singh Bobby (R) with their father Tara Singh (C). Source: Supplied
“Neither I nor could my parents were there to see him for one last time because of the travel restrictions. I could not travel because New Zealand authorities have told me that they cannot guarantee if I would be allowed to return to the country later as I am on a temporary visa.
“My mother is in no state to travel and I did not want my father to travel alone when he is grieving and also because of his age and underlying health conditions, we decided it would be best for him to not travel alone,” added Mr Singh.
In a statement to SBS Punjabi, Victoria Police confirmed that ambulance services at the scene tended to Bobby, but he, unfortunately, succumbed to his injuries.
The driver of the truck is currently assisting the police as they continue to investigate the circumstances around the collision.
Bobby’s maternal cousin, Gurvinder Singh a student in Melbourne who had been sharing a house with Bobby and his family for the past three years said he is shocked beyond words.
Bhupinder Singh 'Bobby' with his cousin Gurvinder Singh (R). Source: Supplied
The 20-year-old remembered his cousin as a “perfectionist, who could do it all.”
“We were very close and was a very important person in my life. Bobby was perfect with everything. He could ride, drive, and could do everything in the household,” said Mr Singh.
Since his death, members of his extended family have been fundraising to help financially support Bobby's parents in India and his wife and daughter in Melbourne.
‘We are heartbroken and shocked’
Bhupinder Singh 'Bobby' Source: Supplied
Tributes are also flowing in from Bobby’s friends in the community. Melbourne-based restaurateur Garry Guraya said, “It is so hard to believe, we are beside ourselves at the moment.”
“Bobby used to work as a chef at my restaurant back in 2016. While he only worked for six months, I remember him as a hardworking young man with big dreams,” he said.
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