An Indian man is reported to be in critical condition after meeting a road accident in Taupo, on Saturday, February 17.
The man is 24 years old Harish Gopal, originally from Nizamabad, in the Indian state of Telangana, who first arrived in New Zealand on a student visa three years ago, and was currently on an open job search visa.
The police report indicates that the man was driving a motorised bike when met an accident in Taupo.
“The crash was between a car and a “motorised scooter” – the scooter rider was taken to hospital with a badly broken leg,” the police responded to The Indian Weekender’s enquiry about the accident.
However, The Indian Weekender has learnt from a close friend of the injured person, Naresh, based in Auckland that Mr Gopal was able to call him and inform about the incident on Saturday night.
Following this, Naresh had travelled to Rotorua Hospital next afternoon and was able to see him, who according to him was able to talk and eat food.
Naresh also told The Indian Weekender that they both had spoken to their relatives back in India and informed about the incident, which till then appeared not life-threatening to both of them.
Mr Gopala had received multiple fractures on his right leg.
However, Mr Gopala’s condition began deteriorating from Monday.
Rajeeva Motorua, another close acquaintance of Mr Gopal who works in Auckland hospital as a receptionist and have known him for many years, told The Indian Weekender that she had visited Rotorua Hospital on Tuesday to see him.
It was on her way back that she was informed by the Rotorua hospital that they are shifting him to Auckland Hospital.
Several community leaders from the Telangana community have reached the Auckland hospital and assisting friends of Mr Gopal.
Speaking to The Indian Weekender, Kalyan Rao Kasuganti, the President of Telangana Association of New Zealand expressed his concern about the condition of the young boy.
"He is undergoing surgery right now.
"Please pray to god for his better health and speedy recovery," Mr Kasuganti told The Indian Weekender.
Another member of the Telangana community Narendra Reddy Patlola has stationed himself in the hospital since the morning to communicate in case of an emergency arises.