MELBOURNE : A 33-year-old Indian-origin woman has become the sixth victim of an “intentional” road rampage, 10 days after she was critically injured in the accident at a busy street here in Australia’s second-largest city.
Bhavita Patel, who worked as a director at a global accounting firm in Melbourne, died in hospital last night after her family decided to turn off her life support following the fatal accident on January 20.
Doctors tried to save Patel, but her condition did not improve and she lay unresponsive in hospital, a media report said.
Patel was walking back to her office when she was mowed down by a speeding car which rammed into several pedestrians on the Bourke street here, killing five people, including two children, on the spot and injuring 31 others.
Victoria’s Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton has confirmed that the driver of the vehicle, who was out on bail and had a drug-related history, “intentionally” ploughed into pedestrians.
“My parents and I are broken. But we all appreciate the love we’re getting from people,” Mitesh, Patel’s brother, was quoted as saying by the Herald Sun.
Patel attended Australian National University in Canberra and worked as an accountant and adviser for the federal government before moving to Melbourne to work with Deloitte.
Deloitte Australia chief executive Cindy Hook paid tribute to Patel as an “outstanding” member of the company’s national advisory team.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague, Bhavita Patel,” Hook said.
Nine patients still remain in hospital and one is still in critical condition, police said.
Dimitrious Gargasoulas, the 26-year-old man accused of driving the car, has been charged with five counts of murder.
He has been remanded in custody and ordered to face court via video link in August. (AGENCIES)
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