Punjab-origin man dies in New Zealand in road accident, leaves behind wife and toddler
Dhillon’s funeral, held on May 20, was attended by members of the Indian community from across New Zealand.
PTC News Desk: In a tragic incident, an Indian-origin man died in a two-vehicle crash while working a late evening Uber shift in New Zealand's Papamoa.
The decease has been identified as Ramandeep Dhillon, who originally hails from Punjab, moved to New Zealand on a student visa in 2015. He briefly returned to India in 2024 to marry Veerpal Kaur before the couple settled together in Papamoa, where they worked in kiwifruit orchards.
After their daughter, Kudrat, was born, Dhillon started driving for Uber to get some flexibility to care for her.
Kaur told local media that the road where the accident took place around 7:15 pm was a route her husband regularly used. Before leaving home that evening, he had spent time with their daughter and told her he would be back later for dinner. The family became worried when he stopped responding to phone calls, and later that night, police arrived at their home with the tragic news.
“I cried, I cried, I cried. I felt that my life is ruined now,” Kaur told the The New Zealand Herald.
She described Dhillon as “innocent and loyal” and said he had been extremely happy about becoming a father. According to her, their daughter still asks for him and has inherited his smile.
Dhillon’s funeral, held on May 20, was attended by members of the Indian community from across New Zealand. A fundraising campaign has also been started to help the family cover funeral expenses and everyday living costs.