Australian family of five tragically killed in crash in India
An Australian family of five has been tragically killed in a crash in India while travelling to the Taj Mahal.
The Times of India reports the family, including two children, was driving on a highway in the country’s north when a tyre on their SUV – a hired Toyota Qualis – popped and caused the car to crash into a safety barrier.
The vehicle then flipped on to its roof on the Yamuna Expressway.
The family was on their way to the Taj Mahal from New Delhi when the crash occurred about 3.30pm on Sunday (local time).
The crash impact was so severe, bodies were found in pools of blood close to seven metres from the car – local police officer Narendar Singh reportedly said.
Anamika Dutta, 45, her daughters Neekita and Pipasa, aged 12 and 15, and sister Sonia, 25, died at the scene, while her 20-year-old son, Tirvijai, died in hospital.
Two other passengers, Digvijay and Shambhu Paswan, survived the crash.
Paswan was the driver of the vehicle according to NDTV.
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed the deaths and is providing consular assistance.
2,598 accidents and 383 deaths have happened on the expressway between August 9, 2012 and September 30, 2015 according to The Times.
