A 26-year-old Indian student has sustained life-threatening injuries after his motorcycle collided into a car in Melbourne’s western suburb of Footscray on Saturday.
Janardhan Reddy and his friend were returning from a shopping trip when their bike collided with a car as Mr Reddy attempted to take a turn onto Droop Street from Ballarat Road shortly after 8 pm, Victoria police said in a press release.
Mr Reddy was rushed to the Royal Melbourne Hospital where he is currently receiving treatment for his 'grave' injuries.
His 24-year-old friend who was riding on the pillion seat also sustained serious, but non-life threatening injuries and has since been discharged from hospital.
The driver of the car, a 24-year-old St Albans man, was not injured and stopped to assist both the victims, the police said.
The police is yet to ascertain the cause of the collision.
Mr Reddy is described as an 'ambitious' student from Hyderabad (in Southern India), who had arrived in Australia barely two months ago.
Janardhan Reddy (R) with his elder brother Sanjeev Reddy (L). Source: Supplied
He was pursuing a master’s degree in Accountancy from Central Queensland University and always dreamt of making a life for himself Down Under, his elder brother Sanjeev Reddy told SBS Punjabi.
“Just two months ago, we saw him off, and today he is lying in a hospital fighting for his life,” said an emotional Sanjeev who is finding it difficult to fathom the news.
“My parents are devastated. The doctors have told us he is critical and has a 30 per cent chance of survival. And even if he survives he won’t be able to see through his eyes or live a normal life since his optic nerve has been severely damaged.”
The ‘heartbroken and dejected’ family is now hustling around to arrange their visas so they can travel to Melbourne and see their 'beloved' son and brother in person.
“We have informed the Indian Consulate in Melbourne. They are helping us with my parents’ passports and visas. We’re hoping to be able to travel to Melbourne by early next week,” added Sanjeev.
Mr Reddy’s family and friends told SBS Punjabi that Janardhan has suffered “severe head and pelvis injuries”, besides multiple fractures on his entire body including on his nose, shoulder, arm and neck.
Meanwhile, Sai Kiran Raj, Mr Reddy’s friend and former roommate has started a fundraiser to facilitate his medical treatment.
Janardhan Reddy (R) posing with his friend Sai Kiran Raj (R). Source: Supplied
“Currently Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is taking care of his medical expenses. But we know that Janardhan comes from a family of limited means so we want to do our best to assist them in taking care of him,” Mr Raj told SBS Punjabi.
“He is a very focused and career-oriented student and would often talk about his long-term plans of settling in Australia. Now we just hope he recovers and lives up to see them through,” he added.
