The sudden and tragic death of Prabhjot Singh, a 27-year-old international student from Haripura village in Haryana’s Sirsa district, has left the Indian-Australian community in mourning.
Prabhjot came to Australia nearly three years ago on a student visa, driven by the dream of building a better future for his family back home. Like many international students, he balanced his studies with part-time work to cover tuition and living expenses.
A Promising Journey Cut Short
On the morning of Friday, 19 September 2025, Prabhjot was working at the Cleanaway Coolaroo Material Recovery Facility in Melbourne’s north when tragedy struck. According to reports, he had just completed his work and was closing a gate when a reversing loader hit him. He became trapped between the loader and a trailer and, despite the arrival of emergency services, could not be saved.
Cleanaway expressed its condolences following the incident, with a company spokesperson saying:
“Our priority is supporting those impacted by the incident, in particular family, colleagues, and our workers at the site.”
WorkSafe Victoria has since launched an investigation, while police confirmed that a report will be prepared for the coroner.
A Devastating Loss for Family and Friends
Prabhjot’s death has left his family in India and his loved ones in Australia facing an unimaginable loss. Known as a hardworking, kind-hearted and loving soul, he touched the lives of everyone who knew him.
His close friend, SP Sandhu, remembered him warmly:
“Prabhjot was a kind, hardworking, and loving soul who touched the lives of everyone around him.”
Community Rallies in Support
To help ease the burden on his grieving family, Prabhjot’s friends have launched a fundraiser. The funds will go toward repatriating his body to India, arranging funeral and prayer services, and providing some financial support for his parents as they navigate life without their son.
The fundraiser can be accessed here: GoFundMe – Support for Prabhjot Singh’s Family
For many in Melbourne’s Indian community, Prabhjot’s story is tragically familiar: a young student leaving behind family and homeland to chase opportunity, only for fate to intervene. The outpouring of donations and support reflects not only shared grief but also the strength of community solidarity in times of tragedy.
As his loved ones work to return him to his village in Haripura for his final rites, Prabhjot Singh will be remembered as a bright young man whose dreams, kindness, and spirit left a lasting impact on those around him.
