Indian-origin Anaesthesiologist, family killed in US car crash

New York: A family trip to a spiritual destination ended in tragedy for four Indian-origin senior citizens, including an 89-year-old renowned anesthesiologist, who lost their lives in a car accident. They were found dead in their Toyota Camry, just 10 kilometres from their hotel. The car had plunged down a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road, killing all four on the spot.

It has been reported that the four members were initially missing for four days until the cops discovered them near a terrain. The crash occurred near a challenging 22-minute stretch of road leading to the hotel, a terrain particularly difficult for those unfamiliar with it.

The family was en route to Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold, a spiritual monument located in the New Vrindaban community of West Virginia. The palace honours Srila Prabhupada, founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). They were scheduled to arrive at New Vrindaban’s Palace Lodge on Tuesday, July 29, but never made it.

Also read- Returning from duty, 26-year-old doctor killed in hit and run

As per News 18 media report, the victims have been identified as Dr Kishore Divan, his wife Asha Divan, and Shailesh Divan and his wife Gita Divan - all in their 80s. Dr Kishore Divan was an anesthesiologist in Williamsville, New York and is affiliated with Kaleida Health-Buffalo General Medical Centre. He received his medical degree from Kasturba Medical College Manipal and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Divan completed his medical residency at the University at Buffalo in 1972.

The incident unfolded after the family was reported missing from their hotel, with their last known location being a Burger King outlet in Erie, Pennsylvania, on July 29. CCTV footage showed two members entering the fast-food outlet, and a credit card transaction at the location gave authorities a clue for further investigation.

A Pennsylvania State Trooper’s license plate reader later picked up the family’s car heading south on Interstate 79, believed to be en route to Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold — a spiritual retreat nestled in the hills of Moundsville, West Virginia.

Following this, the authorities conducted an extensive search before locating the vehicle and victims around 9:30 PM on August 2 at the bottom of a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road—just five miles from New Vrindaban.

The exact cause of the crash has not yet been confirmed, and further details are expected to be released soon. However, the terrain where the crash occurred is notoriously difficult to navigate, particularly for those unfamiliar with the area.

Friends and members of the local Indian-American community remembered Divan as a dedicated physician and community leader and expressed their condolences to the family.

Also read- Physiotherapist dies after speeding car skids in Mangaluru