Kiwi Indian among the doctor-duo who lost lives in a road accident

Two resident doctors of Palmerston North Hospital died in a horrific road accident on Wednesday, August 12.

Names of the two men were released by police, 27-year-old James Huang and 26-year-old Kiwi Indian Vinay Angadi Rudresh who were as resident medical officers at the emergency department of Palmerston North Hospital.

Police were called at around 7:45 a.m. at the intersection of Roberts Line and Railway Road, Milson when the duo travelling in their sedan crashed on to a truck.

Friends of the deceased have started a Facebook page in their memory and shared their most fond memories with the duo and extending their condolences with their families.

Deceased Vinay Angadi was brought up in Auckland, New Zealand and did his early schooling at Auckland Grammar School and completed his higher studies at Auckland University of Technology.

Rahul Chopra, a close friend of Vinay whom he met at a youth group and association at Chinmaya Mission New Zealand, told The Indian Weekender that Vinay was a smart, humble and intelligent person.

James Huang (Right) [Source: Facebook Page]

He added that Vinay’s family earlier lived in Auckland, New Zealand but had moved overseas a few years ago.

Taking approval from his family, Rahul has started a Givealittle page to raise funds for Vinay’s family with travel and funeral cost.

“I met him around eight years ago; he was a smart and intelligent man with loads of potential. We were associated in several programs, camps and youth groups,” friend Rahul Chopra said.

Vinay Angadi Rudresh (Row 2, 2nd from right) [Source: Facebook page]

Rahul added that Vinay had recently completed his medical studies and lived in Palmerston North working at a hospital there for a few years.

Hospital staff at Palmerston North posted a video on social media sobbing and praying their lost colleagues who they said ‘their smiles will be missed dearly by us’.

Friends of James Huang are also hosting a separate Givealittle page to raise fund to support James’ funeral and family.

Residents in Palmerston has in the past claimed the intersection to be potential high accident zone with near misses, crashes in the last few years.

Vinay Angadi Rudresh (centre) [Source: Facebook page]

A resident in Palmerston North has started a petition on change.org to Palmerston North City Council to make the intersection of Railway Road and Roberts Line safer, either by lowering the speed limit or creating a roundabout.

An accident at the same intersection killed a 63-year-old Kusum Sarin, a tourist from India on December 31, 2018. Sarin had died at the scene, and four other fellow passengers were taken to Palmerston North Hospital then, two with moderate and two with serious injuries

Givealittle Page: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/in-the-memory-of-vinay