Punjab-born man killed in Australia truck crash three weeks after daughter's birth

A 30-year-old Indian-origin man has died after being struck by a truck on a highway in Australia, just three weeks after he and his wife welcomed their newborn daughter.

Harsh Sharma was killed in a crash on the Federal Highway near Bungendore Road at Bywong, about 25 kilometres northeast of Canberra, at around 9.40 PM on Thursday, September 3, according to The Australia Today. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but he died at the site of the crash. The truck driver, who is also in his 30s, was taken to Canberra Hospital for mandatory testing.

Sharma lived in Canberra with his wife and two young daughters and worked in the healthcare sector. He was originally from Mandi Gobindgarh in Punjab, India.

His death has left relatives and friends in Australia and India mourning a loss that came at a particularly painful moment for the family. Just three weeks before the fatal crash, Sharma and his wife had welcomed their youngest daughter. The newborn was only three weeks old when her father died.

A GoFundMe campaign organised by Sharma's childhood friend Harkirat Singh, along with Tanjot and Shabir, described him as a husband, son, friend and, above all, a father whose life was cut short.

"Harsh passed away suddenly and tragically at just 30 years old, leaving behind his loving wife and two beautiful little daughters," the fundraiser says.

"What should have been one of the happiest chapters of their lives has suddenly become a period of unimaginable grief." the campaign added.FUNDRAISER SEEKS SUPPORT FOR FAMILY

Friends of the family have also begun making arrangements to repatriate Sharma's remains to Punjab, according to the fundraiser.

A GoFundMe appeal was launched to help the family meet immediate expenses while providing financial support for Sharma's wife and children in the aftermath of his death. It also aims to offer some longer-term financial stability as the family adjusts to life without him.

The appeal has drawn a strong response from the community. As of September 13, it had raised more than 91,000 Australian dollars towards its 120,000 Australian dollar target, with about 1500 people making donations. The fundraiser also outlines how the money raised will be distributed.

According to the campaign, the net funds will initially be received in Australia before being divided equally. Half of the money will go to Sharma's wife, while the other half will go to his parents in India. His friends said the arrangement had been made with the knowledge and permission of Sharma’s wife and parents. He also said he would not retain any of the money raised through the campaign.

Police have not yet concluded their inquiries into the crash, with investigators continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding Sharma's death.- EndsPublished By: Satyam SinghPublished On: Sep 13, 2026 13:57 IST