New York car crash: In a heartbreaking incident, four Indian-origin senior citizens from Buffalo, New York, were found dead in a car crash after going missing during a spiritual road trip to West Virginia. The family members—Dr. Kishore Divan (89), Asha Divan (85), Shailesh Divan (86), and Gita Divan (84)—were reported missing for nearly a week before their vehicle was discovered off a steep embankment in Marshall County.
Last Seen at Burger King in Pennsylvania on July 29
The Divan family was last seen around 2:45 PM on July 29 at a Burger King outlet on Peach Street in Erie, Pennsylvania. CCTV footage captured two members entering the fast-food restaurant. Additionally, credit card records confirmed that this was their last verified stop before they vanished.
They were traveling in a light green Toyota Camry bearing a New York license plate (EKW2611), headed towards Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold, a popular spiritual destination in Marshall County, West Virginia. The group had even prepaid for accommodations at the site but sadly never checked in.
Vehicle Found at Bottom of Steep Embankment
On Saturday, August 2, around 9:30 PM, the family’s vehicle was located by Marshall County authorities at the base of a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road. The recovery operation was intense and extended for over five hours as emergency personnel worked at the scene.
Sheriff Mike Dougherty of Marshall County officially confirmed the deaths and identified the victims. In a Facebook post, the sheriff’s office stated:
“The four individuals reported missing from Buffalo, New York, have been found deceased following a vehicle crash. They have been identified as Dr. Kishore Divan, Mrs. Asha Divan, Mr. Shailesh Divan, and Mrs. Gita Divan.”
A Spiritual Journey Ends in Sorrow
The family’s trip was intended to be a peaceful and spiritual journey to Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold, often referred to as “America’s Taj Mahal.” This sacred site is a place of pilgrimage for followers of the Hare Krishna movement and attracts visitors from across the world. Their tragic end has left the Indian-American community and loved ones in mourning.
Questions Remain: What Caused the Crash?
Authorities have yet to release specific details on how the accident occurred or what may have led the car to veer off the road. Investigations are ongoing, and an autopsy is expected to provide more insights. Meanwhile, tributes and condolences have poured in on social media, with many expressing sorrow over the unexpected and devastating loss.
Community Mourns the Loss of Respected Elders
Dr. Kishore Divan and his family were well-known and respected members of the Indian-American community in New York. Friends and family described them as kind-hearted individuals devoted to family values and spirituality. Their untimely passing has sent shockwaves through the diaspora, with vigils and memorials being planned in Buffalo and beyond.
What was meant to be a serene and spiritual road trip ended in a deeply tragic accident. The loss of the Divan family serves as a somber reminder of life’s unpredictability and the importance of travel safety, especially for senior citizens. As investigations continue, the community comes together in grief, prayer, and remembrance of four souls who set out seeking peace and found it in an eternal sense