In a deeply heartbreaking incident, four senior Indian-origin individuals from Buffalo, New York, tragically lost their lives in a fatal car crash in Marshall County, West Virginia, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
The victims — Kishore Divan, Asha Divan, Shailesh Divan, and Gita Divan — had been reported missing days earlier, prompting a widespread community-led search effort spanning multiple states. Their vehicle, a light green colored car, was discovered late on the evening of August 2, around 9:30 PM, at the bottom of a steep embankment along a remote road in Marshall County. All four were found deceased at the scene.
Missing Person Alert Turned Tragic
The Divan family was last seen on Tuesday, July 30, after they visited a Hindu temple in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and were en route to the Palace Lodge Hotel in Moundsville, West Virginia. They were supposed to check into the hotel the same evening, but sadly never arrived.
According to Sibu Nair, Director of Asian American and Pacific Islander Affairs in the office of New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, the family was reported missing soon after failing to make contact with loved ones.
In a Facebook post shared widely across South Asian community networks, Nair sounded the alarm with a “Missing Persons – Please Help” notice. He described the Divans as “beloved members of our community” and emphasized their strong ties to the Indian-American diaspora in New York.
Security footage had last captured the family at a fast food restaurant in Erie, Pennsylvania, suggesting they were still on their route as planned. However, after that, no further communication or sightings were reported.
Nair had urged members of the public, especially those familiar with the hilly, winding roads in the final 22-minute stretch leading to the hotel, to remain vigilant. This portion of the route is notoriously difficult to navigate, particularly at night or in unfamiliar conditions.
Authorities and Community Respond
Marshal County Sheriff Mike Dougherty, in an official statement, confirmed the deaths and extended heartfelt condolences to the family members and the Indian-American community mourning this devastating loss.
He acknowledged the tireless efforts of first responders, who spent more than five hours at the crash site, working under challenging conditions to recover the victims and ensure proper documentation.
The car appears to have veered off the road, possibly due to poor visibility or loss of control on the steep terrain, although the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Authorities are likely to examine GPS records, vehicle malfunction possibilities, and road conditions at the time of the crash to determine what led to this tragedy.
Community in Mourning
News of the Divan family’s deaths has sent shockwaves through the Indian-American community, particularly in Buffalo, NY, where they were respected as active, warm, and community-oriented individuals.
Tributes have begun pouring in across social media, with many expressing sorrow at the tragic end to what began as a peaceful spiritual trip.
“This is a devastating loss for everyone who knew them. They were kind-hearted, spiritual, and very involved in our cultural activities,” said one community member.
Nair, who had personally led the efforts to locate the family, expressed his grief: This is not the outcome we prayed for. But let us take a moment to honor the Divans for the lives they led and the love they shared within our community. May they rest in peace.”
Arrangements for memorial services are expected to be announced shortly by local Indian-American organizations, with support from the Indian Consulate in New York likely to assist with family coordination and logistical help.
This tragic incident also highlights the challenges faced by seniors traveling long distances across unfamiliar and sometimes treacherous terrains in the United States. Community leaders have called for better outreach and systems to monitor the safety of elderly travelers, especially during multi-state road trips.
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