Family Mourns The Loss Of Fijian-Indian Man In Fatal Crash

“He was such a humble man,” says Parnesh, the brother-in-law of 45-year-old Arvind Kumar, who died in a fatal crash earlier this week.

Kumar was driving his wife, Jashoda Gounder, to the airport at 4am. She was flying to Fiji to attend her aunty’s funeral when, according to Parnesh, “a car from behind came and crashed into Kumar’s car as he was waiting at the red light.”

Arvind Kumar died on George Bolt Memorial Drive, near the intersection with Tom Pearce Drive, near the main road leading to Auckland Airport, which was temporarily closed following the crash.

Kumar, who moved to New Zealand from Fiji nearly two and a half years ago, is remembered as a religious man who “touched many lives in New Zealand in just two years that he was here,” Parnesh told The Indian Weekender.

Arvind Kumar with his family/Photo: Supplied

“He was so humble that he never swore, was never angry,” he recalled fondly.

The family describes Kumar as a man with a “golden heart” who always contributed to the community. “He had a genuine soul, who could never say no to help for anything,” recalled the brother-in-law.

Also read: ‘About 600 People Came’ — Community Farewells Arvind Kumar After Crash

“We’re getting a lot of support from the community, the Kiwis, and those whom we do not even know,” he told The Indian Weekender.

“This event has personally shocked me — it’s a reminder that anything can happen and life shouldn’t be taken for granted,” Parnesh shared.

He said the loss of Arvind’s life has taught him to forgive, forget, and love each other, “especially your close ones.”

According to Parnesh, the eyewitnesses told him the car that hit Kumar’s vehicle was speeding. He, who also lives in Auckland, was informed of the incident around 4.25am.

“Jashoda is still at Middlemore Hospital, although she has regained consciousness, and we’re trying to get back her mobility as soon as possible,” he said.

Arvind Kumar with his wife Jashoda /Photo: Supplied

According to him, Jashoda’s recovery could take weeks, if not months. “She has got a fracture in the ribs and her spine,” he said.

According to Parnesh, a small ritual was performed for Kumar at Middlemore Hospital in Jashoda’s presence. She was unable to fly to Fiji due to her injuries and remains bedridden.

“The service held in Auckland and Fiji both had an estimated 600 people attending Kumar’s funeral,” he shared.

Sam Achary from Auckland Indian Funeral Home told The Indian Weekender earlier this morning that a service for Kumar in Auckland was held on Friday night and that Kumar was repatriated back to Fiji on Sunday.

“The community came together to help,” Achary added.

Parnesh said he really wanted to thank Sam Achary for his services and support. In a message of thanks to Achary, Parnesh wrote,

“We were extremely distressed and uncertain about how to arrange his (Arvind’s) funeral — the responsibility of repatriating him back home to Fiji.”

Arvind Kumar with his wife Jashoda /Photo: Supplied

“It was during this time of immense grief and disarray that we met Mr Sam. From the very first meeting, he took complete ownership of the situation and guided us with genuine compassion, humility, and professionalism,” the message added.

A message from Parnesh for people on the road, “Please be cautious. Someone lost their life through no fault of their own. Road safety isn’t just about protecting yourself. Drive carefully for the safety of others too. A single moment can take a life and leave a family without their breadwinner.”

Parnesh, who along with the family is dealing with the loss, says that he can’t imagine how the family will restart their lives without Arvind. 

“We still can’t believe his innocent soul is gone because of someone else’s carelessness.”