Tragic trend of fatal crashes: Surrey Car Crash Claims Life of Young Girl Two Days After Arrival from Delhi

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Saniya was not the only person who met with the ill fate. Tragedies on B.C. highways have prompted coroner’s͛ safety reminder. BC Coroner’s Service reported 19 accidental motor-vehicle-related deaths between Friday, July 5, and Wednesday, July 10, 2024.

SURREY: Surrey community and family are mourning the tragic loss of a young girl who died in a car crash in Surrey last week. Nineteen-year-old Saniya had arrived in Canada on July 9, 2024. However, her life was cut short on July 11 when she died in the accident on July 11, 2024.

On July 11, Surrey RCMP informed the public that a road closure was in effect following a report of a single-vehicle collision on Highway 99, North of King George Blvd, Surrey. The accident took place around 1.30 AM.

Sergeant James Mason of Surrey RCMP said that a woman in her 20’s was ejected from the vehicle on the accident scene and was deceased. “Two other occupants were located trapped in the vehicle and later taken to hospital for further assessment.  Driver of the vehicle is a 23-year-old man and passenger is a 22-year-old man,” Mason said.

Following the accident, the northbound lanes on Highway 99, North of King George Blvd were closed as the investigation was still in the evidence gather stage.

Police said that preliminary investigation indicates speed may have been a factor.

The police have not yet disclosed the identity of the victim. Local community member and media person Baljinder Bhandal identified her as Saniya an International Student from Burari, Delhi. Bhandal runs a not-for-profit group that helps international students. While talking to The Link, she said she was speaking on behalf of Saniya’s parents who are currently devastated.

Bhandal has created a GoFundMe Page to raise funds and send her body back to India. “We are now faced with the heart-wrenching task of bringing her body back to India so she can rest in peace among her loved ones. The costs associated with this are overwhelming, and our family has already exhausted our savings to send her to Canada,” mentioned the GoFundMe page.

Saniya’s death is another reminder for all those out there on roads with reckless driving. Saniya was not the only person who met with the ill fate last week. The BC highway patrols and various police departments in BC reported multiple accidents on the roads of BC. These were not just accidents, they were fatal that did not spare old, young or even the infants.

BC Coroner’s Service reported that between Friday, July 5, and Wednesday, July 10, 2024, there were 19 accidental motor-vehicle-related deaths reported to the BC Coroners Service (BCCS). Twelve of those deaths occurred during three incidents reported in the Interior Health Authority. “This week has been marked by several fatal motor vehicle incidents on highways throughout British Columbia,” said a release from the Coroner’s Service.

͞We extend our condolences to all affected by these tragedies. We know there are far-reaching impacts, as family and friends across the province, and beyond, mourn the loss of their loved ones,͟” said John McNamee, acting chief coroner. ͞”While so many of us look forward to summer trips, unfortunately, statistics show the risk of deadly motor-vehicle crashes is much greater in July, August and September.͟”

According to the latest available data from the Coroners Service, there were 331 motor-vehicle incident (MVI) deaths in B.C in 2023. Of those deaths, 45 occurred in July, 32 in August and 33 in September. Between 2013 and 2023, more than one-third of MVI deaths were reported to have happened on roadways in the Interior Health region and a quarter in the Fraser Health region.

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There are ways to reduce the risk of a collision, and the BC Coroners Service is encouraging drivers to plan ahead. Tips for a safer trip include:

  knowing your route and allowing time for possible delays because of increased traffic volume or construction;

 wearing seatbelts, obeying posted speed limits and driving to road conditions; and

 avoiding distracted driving and focusing on the road ahead. Also, don͛t drink alcohol or consume drugs or other substances that could alter decision making and/or reaction time. BCCS statistics from 2013-2021 indicate that alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in 33% of MVI deaths. Alcohol and drug-related data is not yet available for more recent years. The coroners͛ investigations into the deaths of those involved in collisions this week are ongoing and no further details may be shared until they have been completed.