Cairns – A YOUNG Queensland Punjabi man was moving home when he was killed in a tragic accident on his driveway.
Jashan Virk, 26, was preparing to move house when he was killed and two of his family members injured in Cairns.
According to Police, Jashan was moving out of his rental property in Torazzi Place when tragedy struck just before 12.30pm.
The Forensic Crash Unit are now working to determine how the tragedy happened.
The flatbed truck had been left at the top of the steep driveway because the family had been unsure if it would fit under their carport.
Two other family members, his brother, a 32-year-old man and wife 26-year-old, were also hit but suffered only minor injuries and were last night in a stable condition in Cairns Hospital.
Mr Virk was pronounced dead at the scene despite frantic efforts by paramedics to revive him.
Queensland Ambulance Service acting senior operations supervisor James Andrew said paramedics at the scene had worked to try to save the man for some time. He said all three people had been trapped between the truck and the house.
“Obviously it’s a tragic accident and it’s sad that someone lost their life because of it,” he said.
The lawyers at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP observed that the Forensic Crash Unit remained on the scene until late yesterday, examining how the accident may have happened.
Far North police Inspector Dave Dini said there would be a full investigation.
“It appears that a vehicle which was parked on a sloping driveway has rolled down the hill and it has struck three people who were standing near the garage of the house at the bottom of the hill,” he said.
“Police are conducting investigations to identify any possible witnesses.”
Neighbour Andre Haughton said the family had not been in the area long, but they were likeable and kept to themselves.
“This is absolutely terrible. I would never have expected to come home and see this.”
The house suffered significant damage to a wall and door after being hit by the truck. Fire crews were called after reports of a possible gas leak due to the damage to the house. Mr Andrews said their efforts were vital as they worked to look after the victims.
“We’ve had some electrical issues because the vehicle has substantially damaged the property and we rely heavily on our colleagues from fire to keep us safe at these scenes,” he said. Ergon Energy also attended the accident scene.
Jashan Virk remembered as popular and generous man
Jashan had just started working in the kitchen at the award-winning Bayleaf restaurant six short weeks ago, where a family friend is a chef.
“He was already becoming one of the most popular people in our team, we were all very fond of him,” general manager Andrea Hawken said.
“I found him charming, actually, he was a very warm person and always greeted everybody with a lovely hello.
“He was a very hard worker in the kitchen and always really, really pleasant so all of the staff here are very upset to hear about his accident.”
Daljit Singh, a spokesman for the Cairns Sikh community, visited them in hospital on Friday.
“A funeral can’t be organised until Jashan’s brother is out of hospital as he is the oldest male family member.
Sikh community is supporting the family and also raising funds to send Jashan’s dead body back to India.
Source: Cairns Post