‘Wonderful’ best friends killed on freeway after stopping to help injured kangaroo

1 week ago 3

Sarala Khadka and Areeza Suwal were nothing short of best friends.

A quick scroll through the social media pages of the two women who were killed last Thursday night on the Hume Freeway in Craigieburn – after stopping to help a kangaroo they had hit – shows the pair pictured together right across Victoria.

Sarala Khadka (left) and Areeza Suwal died on Thursday after being hit by a car on the Hume Freeway.

From smiling selfies at Hanging Rock, to peace signs at the Werribee Open Range Zoo, the shared moments between the pair speak to a bond formed over many years.

The two women, both aged 30, both nurses, and both originally from Nepal, had stopped their car on the multi-lane freeway about 7.30pm to help a kangaroo they had struck moments earlier. As they tended to the injured animal, another car travelling in the same direction struck both women.

Amanda O’Sullivan, who worked with both Khadka and Suwal, said she was struggling to come to terms with the loss, describing the women as “wonderful”.

“It’s hard to comprehend when someone you know was here on earth and in a blink of an eye, that’s gone, like you shared smiles, laughter and hugs, stories at work. You think about your own mortality, that this could be anyone and how life is so short,” she said.

O’Sullivan said the pair would have done anything to help the injured animal they had hit.

“They would have respected this animal and wanted to help, and it’s just unfortunate that it wasn’t a safe place to do so, and their true kindness was fatal,” she said.

Sarala Khadka (left) and Areeza Suwal (right) thought of each other as sisters.

For O’Sullivan, memories of working alongside Suwal in aged care remain vivid.

“Her soul was so, so beautiful … I hope she finds peace and kindness on the other side of Earth just like she showed peace and kindness Earth-side,” she said.

“All my shifts alongside her were bubbly, giggles and a real calm was brought to the shift. Softly spoken and genuinely loving and caring.”

Adding another layer of heartbreak, it appears Suwal died on her birthday.

In the early hours of Thursday morning, Khadka had posted a birthday message to her best friend on Facebook, referring to Suwal as her “sister” and “partner in crime” of 14 years.

“Hey Besty … oh wait, let me correct myself … Sisy Because honestly, you’re more like a sister than a friend,” Khadka wrote, hours before the fatal crash.

“You’re the one with whom I can throw my silly tantrums, argue endlessly, fight like kids, and still not think twice before saying anything – because you get me like no one else. It’s been what … 14 years of this madness? (Don’t trust me on the exact number though, you know I’m terrible at keeping track of time). But what I do know is, through all these years you’ve been my constant – my partner in crime, my safe space, my reality-check, and my forever gossip partner.

“From laughing till our stomachs hurt, to comforting each other in tears, we’ve seen it all … and we’re still here, stronger than ever. Now you’re getting years old (don’t worry, I won’t reveal the exact number here), but my wish for you is that every single dream and expectation you carry in your heart finds its way to reality this year. You deserve nothing less. Thank you for being my person, my sister, my partner in every laugh and tear. Happiest Birthday, love you endlessly (and yes, I’ll still annoy you tomorrow).”

Hours later, both women were gone.

In a statement on Monday, The Alfred hospital where Khadka worked, said it was mourning the tragic loss of the beloved nurse and “much-loved colleague”.

“Sarala was a dedicated, highly skilled nurse, who went above and beyond to care for each patient with warmth, compassion and kindness,” The Alfred said.

“Her loss is felt acutely by her teammates, and we are supporting them during this difficult time.

“On behalf of The Alfred community, we extend our sincerest condolences to Sarala’s family, friends and colleagues, and others who had the privilege of knowing her.”

The women died after they were struck by a car while helping an injured kangaroo.

Police reported that the women were travelling south on the Hume Freeway when their car hit a kangaroo, and they pulled over to help it, only to be hit by another car travelling in the same direction on the busy road.

The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and assisted police with investigations. Police are continuing to investigate the incident.

Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said police believed the driver of the second car did not see the women’s parked car until the last minute.

“[The driver] swerved to avoid the car and it has struck the two females at relatively high speed,” Weir told ABC radio on Friday morning.

“Sadly, one of the ladies was killed almost straight away and the other lady was transported to hospital where she passed away during the night as well.”

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