Fundraising page launched for Indian students killed in Scotland car crash

THE Indian National Students Association UK (INSA-UK) has launched a fundraiser for the students who died in an accident in Scotland on August 19.

The three Indians, including two Leicester University students and a graduate from the institute, died in a car-lorry collision while they were on holiday in the Appin area of Argyll in the Scottish West Highlands, media

reports said.

Girish Subramanyam (23) from Bangalore, Pavan Bashetty (23) and Sai Varma Chilakamari (24) from Hyderabad, and Sudhakar Modepalli (30) from Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district, were named by the Times of India newspaper.

Subramanyam, Bashetty and Modepalli died following the crash, the report said. Chilakamari was taken in an air ambulance to Queen Elizabeth Hospital

and is now believed to be out of danger.

According to Scotland Police, the incident involved a silver Honda Civic and black HGV, and happened around 2.30pm on the A828 Oban to Fort William road, near Castle Stalker.

The 47-year-old male driver of the black HGV was arrested in relation to the incident, but was released pending further inquiries, the reports added.

“In a recent tragic road accident, we lost Girish (23), and Sudhakar (30), students at the University of Leicester. They were among us with a dream to pursue education in the UK but unfortunately, the deadly road accident has taken their lives,” the fundraising page said.

The target is £50,000 and 10 per cent of the amount has already been raised. INSA-UK said the money will be used to help in clearing their student loans and to extend financial support to their families.

Sergeant Kevin Craig said: “At this time, our thoughts are with the families and friends of the deceased men. I would also like to thank the public for their patience and understanding as officers attended the scene and carried out their inquiries.”

Subramanyam’s mother, Aruna Kumari, was quoted as saying, “We had spoken to him (Girish) on Thursday (August 18) night. He said he was going to a place with snowfall and would call the next morning”.

Police urged anyone with information to call on 101 quoting incident 1976 of August 19.

The Consulate General of India in Edinburgh has been in touch with the victims’ families, and will be assisting with flying the bodies back home, reports added.