On Thursday afternoon, a man was hit and killed by a truck at Bells Crossing on State Highway 1 in Huntly. That person was a newly wed and was waiting for the arrival of his new bride, according to his close friends.
Raj Kumar, 33, who was killed in the accident Friends was an inspirational and talented individual, according to his friends. He had started his security products business and was living in Hamilton. He had shifted from his home in India to Auckland in 2010.
Raj Kumar’s friend Reuben Mathias they were living together these days and Kumar was in the middle of his work day when he died. Mathias, who described Kumar as “like a brother” said they became close friends after meeting at work.
“He was a really, really awesome bloke. No matter how successful he was, he was really keen to give back to his village, and provide for his siblings,” Mathias said.
“It’s an absolute tragedy that this has happened. Things were really looking up for him.”
Mathias further revealed that Kumar had spent several years working for security companies before starting his own business.
“He was the best sales rep I’ve ever come across. He was incredibly talented.”
He was supporting his family and used to send major part of his earnings to his family in India.
“Whatever wealth he made he reinvested it back in his family. He always wanted to give back and help his village in terms of getting the basic facilities. He inspired us.”
The family of Mr Kumar was informed about the incident by his friends on Thursday night.
A Givealittle page has been created revealing that Raj Kumar Prajapati was from the town of Hazaribagh, Jharkhand in India and died on September 7, 2017. The page also reveals that Mr Kumar was a newly married man and was waiting for his wife to join him in New Zealand.
Mr Prajapati’s friend Alroy Castelino told the Indian Weekender that they are coordinating with Police and the Indian High Commission.
“We are appealing to the Kiwi-Indian community to help us send Mr Prajapati back home to India as his parents are too old and not in a position to bear the cost.”
“We are setting up a Givealittle page for everyone to help whatever little they can,” Mr Castelino said.
“We are in touch with the friends of Mr Prajapati and are waiting for police and coroner to complete formalities,” Mr Sandeep Sood from the Indian High Commission in New Zealand told The Indian Weekender.
