Three of family from Hyderabad killed in California road accident

Three members of a Hyderabad family were killed and two others critically injured in a road accident in California, United States, in the early hours of Tuesday, according to reports. The victims included Nazia Salma, 45, her 19-year-old daughter Neha Shaikh, and her 14-year-old son Omar Shaik. The family, hailing from Vani Nagar in Saidabad, Hyderabad, was traveling together when the collision occurred. Nazia’s husband, Shaik Abdul Naveed, and their five-year-old daughter, Khadeeja, sustained serious injuries and are receiving medical treatment at a local hospital. Naveed is reportedly in a coma. The family had planned the trip after the children expressed a desire to visit Salt Lake City, known as the "Salt City" in California. They were driving together when the accident happened. According to relatives, the family’s vehicle collided with another car, resulting in multiple fatalities. A driver from the other vehicle also died in the crash. The incident has sparked an investigation by U.S. authorities to determine the cause of the collision. Relatives in Hyderabad learned of the tragedy through calls to Naveed’s mobile phone, which remained unanswered. His father, Shaik Abdul Sayeed, recounted that they tried repeatedly to reach him but received no response. Eventually, local police answered the call and informed them of the accident. They were told that the family’s vehicle had collided with another, leading to the deaths of three individuals, including the driver of the second car. Naveed, who originally came from Hyderabad’s Old City, relocated to the United States almost 19 years ago in search of professional opportunities and eventually settled there with his family. He is currently employed as a scientist in the country. The family of five had been traveling together when the accident occurred. The loss has deeply affected the community in Vani Nagar, where neighbors and friends have gathered to offer condolences to the grieving family. The family has requested immediate assistance from both the Union and Telangana state governments. They have asked officials to facilitate the travel of close relatives to California so they can accompany the injured survivors during their recovery. Additionally, they have sought support to ensure the bodies of the deceased are preserved until family members can arrive in the United States to complete the necessary legal procedures before repatriating them to Hyderabad for their final rites. Local authorities in Hyderabad have expressed concern over the incident and have called for further information regarding the circumstances surrounding the accident. Meanwhile, the families of the deceased continue to await updates on Naveed’s condition before making decisions about their next steps. The emotional impact of the tragedy extends beyond the immediate family, affecting the broader community in Saidabad and raising questions about safety measures on the roads in California. As the situation develops, the focus remains on providing support to the surviving family members and ensuring proper handling of the deceased.