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A tragic multi-vehicle collision in Texas has claimed the lives of four Indian nationals. The accident occurred on Friday, August 30, when the SUV they were traveling in burst into flames after being struck by a speeding truck. The victims, all young professionals, had connected through a carpooling app and were on their way to Bentonville, Arkansas. The intense fire caused severe charring, leaving authorities to rely on DNA testing to confirm their identities.
The deceased were identified as Aryan Raghunath Orampati and his friend Farooq Shaik from Hyderabad, Lokesh Palacharla from East Godavari in Andhra Pradesh, and Dharshini Vasudevan from Tamil Nadu. Orampati and Shaik were returning home after visiting a relative in Dallas. Palacharla was traveling to Bentonville to meet his wife, while Vasudevan, a master’s degree graduate from the University of Texas, was on her way to visit her uncle.
The incident has left families and friends devastated. Mastan Vali, the father of Farooq Shaik, spoke to The Times of India, expressing his grief and sharing that his son had been living in the US for the past three years and had recently completed his M.S. course. He also mentioned that his daughter, who resides in the US, is working with authorities to handle the arrangements regarding Farooq’s remains.
Adding to the tragedy, the circumstances surrounding Dharshini Vasudevan’s death sparked concern and prompted her father to seek help from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. Hours after the accident, he took to X (formerly Twitter) to request assistance in locating his daughter. In his post, he shared details about her travel plans, her location, and the fact that he hadn’t been able to reach her for several hours. His posts highlighted the anxieties of families grappling with the news of a loved one’s disappearance.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with carpooling and the importance of road safety. The families of the victims are left to grieve the loss of their loved ones, while authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident. The incident also highlights the difficulties faced by families abroad during such tragedies, prompting calls for improved communication and assistance from relevant authorities.
Source: Four Indians Killed In Multi-Vehicle Collision In US While Carpooling