Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
International

Uber Eats rider killed in Sydney crash identified as Indian student

Darpan News Desk IANS, 03 Aug, 2023 12:01 PM
  • Uber Eats rider killed in Sydney crash identified as Indian student

Sydney, Aug 3 (IANS) A 22-year-old Uber Eats rider who died after his bike collided with an SUV in Sydney last month has been identified as an Indian student from Mumbai.

Akshay Doultani, who came to Sydney in February on a scholarship to study Master’s degree in finance at Macquarie University, died at the Royal North Shore hospital on July 22.

Confirming his identity, Labor senator Tony Sheldon told the parliament earlier this week that Akshay was the 12th food delivery rider to be killed while on the job since 2017.

“Akshay came to this country on a scholarship to pursue his dreams and give his family a brighter future,” Sheldon said on Monday.

“At around 8 p.m. at the intersection of Blaxland Road and Epping Road, in Epping, Akshay was making a delivery on his scooter when he was hit by an SUV.”

Akshay's cousin told ABC News that the only reason why he wanted to come abroad was to provide more amenities for his family so they could live a lifestyle that was much better.

To pay his fees, Akshay worked as a food delivery rider at least three times a week.

"It's very hard for the parents to digest that their only son is no more," Sunil Paryani, who travelled all the way from Hong Kong to collect his nephew's body, told ABC News.

The fatal crash is currently being investigated by the New South Wales (NSW) Police and Safework NSW.

"Akshay's tragic loss is another reminder of how dangerous the gig economy can be... where workers are forced to push themselves to the limit just to make ends meet," Sheldon said.

Further, the senator called for a transport reform to ensure that the gig workers, numbering approximately 250,000 in the industry, get basic employment rights as well as right compensation.

In a statement shared by ABC, Uber Eats said it was committed to the safety of delivery workers and had policies in place to enhance road safety.

"In Australia, Uber Eats delivery people are covered by a support package designed specifically for them," a company spokesperson said.

MORE International ARTICLES

Canada sounding bullish on permanent daylight time

Canada sounding bullish on permanent daylight time
They include Sen. Ed Markey, who couldn't contain his excitement this week when the Senate unanimously passed a plan that would make daylight time permanent across the country.

Canada sounding bullish on permanent daylight time

Not the time to lower COVID defences: White House

Not the time to lower COVID defences: White House
White House officials say the shortfall will soon make it harder to access the vaccines, booster shots, tests and drug therapies that have become vital tools in the fight against COVID-19.

Not the time to lower COVID defences: White House

Russia-Ukraine war reaches nuclear sites, raises worldwide concern

Russia-Ukraine war reaches nuclear sites, raises worldwide concern
So far the Russian troops have taken over the closed nuclear power plant at Chernobyl and the active nuclear power plant Zaporizhzhia, situated on the banks of the Dnieper River, in the city of Enerhodar.

Russia-Ukraine war reaches nuclear sites, raises worldwide concern

New entry point opens on Slovakia-Ukraine border for Indians' evacuation

New entry point opens on Slovakia-Ukraine border for Indians' evacuation
According to the officials in the Indian mission, Vysne Nemecke is a small village on the Slovakia- Ukraine border and opposite Ukraine's Uzhhorod city. From here, the evacuated Indians are transported to the regional capital, Kosice, from where the Indian flights under 'Operation Ganga' are being operated.

New entry point opens on Slovakia-Ukraine border for Indians' evacuation

7 people shot, 1 fatally, at Las Vegas apartment complex

7 people shot, 1 fatally, at Las Vegas apartment complex
The shooting came less than a week after a shooting at a Las Vegas hookah bar killed one person and wounded 13. That shooting last Saturday was described as an exchange of gunfire involving people at a private party. Police have arrested one suspect.

7 people shot, 1 fatally, at Las Vegas apartment complex

The UN’s top human rights body holds urgent debate on Ukraine-Russia conflict

The UN’s top human rights body holds urgent debate on Ukraine-Russia conflict
The meeting is set to culminate in a vote Friday on whether to set up a three-person expert panel. The vote by the 47-member-state body, which counts Ukraine and Russia as members, offers a bellwether of international sentiment about the Kremlin's invasion.

The UN’s top human rights body holds urgent debate on Ukraine-Russia conflict