A Canberra family is grieving the sudden loss of Harsh Sharma, a 30-year-old father who died in a tragic road crash just three weeks after he and his wife welcomed their newborn daughter.
Sharma died on the night of 3 September 2026 after being struck by a semi-trailer on the Federal Highway near Bywong, close to Lake George, according to reporting on the incident. Police have deemed the death non-suspicious, while a coroner’s investigation is continuing.
The tragedy has left Sharma’s wife caring for their two young daughters, including a newborn who was only three weeks old when her father died. The timing has made the loss particularly devastating for the family, who had only recently entered what should have been a joyful new chapter in their lives.
A GoFundMe campaign, organised by Sharma’s childhood friend Harkirat Singh, along with Tanjot and Shabir, has been launched to support the family in Australia and India. The fundraiser describes Sharma as a husband, son, friend and devoted father whose life was cut short at just 30 years of age.
The fundraiser says Sharma was originally from Mandi Gobindgarh in Punjab, India, while his parents and other family members remain in India. His sudden death has therefore brought grief across both Australia and India, with his parents mourning the loss of their son while his wife and daughters face life without him.
The appeal has set a target of $100,000 to help with immediate expenses following Sharma’s death, provide assistance with everyday living costs and support the needs of his two young children. Organisers say the aim is also to provide some financial security for the girls as the family navigates the difficult period ahead.
As of the latest update available on the GoFundMe page, the campaign had raised $85,622 from more than 1,300+ donations, demonstrating the strong response from friends, community members and supporters.
The fundraiser has also outlined how the donations will be distributed. According to the organiser, after the funds are received, 50 per cent of the net amount will go directly to Sharma’s wife and the remaining 50 per cent will be transferred to his parents in India. The organiser said Sharma’s wife and parents were aware of and had agreed to the arrangement.
Singh said the fundraising effort was created with the knowledge and permission of Sharma’s wife and parents. He said the money would not be retained for personal benefit and that records of donations and subsequent transfers would be maintained as part of the transparency arrangements.
For Sharma’s loved ones, the fundraiser is about more than meeting immediate financial needs. It is an attempt to give his wife and daughters some stability while they cope with a loss that came without warning, and to ensure the family is not left to face the financial consequences of the tragedy alone.
The story has resonated particularly strongly with those who knew Sharma and with members of the Indian community in Canberra and beyond. A young father who had only recently welcomed his second daughter is now being remembered by friends and family while his children face growing up without him.
The GoFundMe campaign is continuing to appeal for donations and shares, with organisers urging people who cannot contribute financially to help spread the fundraiser among their networks.
For Sharma’s family, no amount of money can undo the loss. But the growing community response is providing practical support at a time when his wife, two daughters and parents are facing an unimaginable change to their lives.
