‘Beautiful’ Australian mother killed on dream holiday to Sri Lanka when ‘high-speed’ taxi plunges off cliff – but her daughter miraculously survives
- Prakash Sharita Devi, 67, died after a taxi fell off a cliff
- Her daughter, 30, is being treated in hospital in Sri Lanka
An Australian woman has been killed and her daughter injured after a taxi they were traveling in plunged off a cliff in Sri Lanka.
Sydney-based Prakash Sharita Devi, 67, and her daughter, 30, were traveling in a taxi towards Hemmathagama, a town about 100 km northeast of the capital Colombo, on Monday when their driver reportedly lost control.
Police said preliminary investigations showed he was traveling at high speed when the car left the road and rolled off the cliff, according to the Indian Tribune.
The taxi driver, a resident of Sri Lanka, and the 30-year-old daughter were taken to nearby Gampola Hospital with injuries.
Ms. Devi, who is of Fijian Indian background, unfortunately could not be saved.
Sydney-based Prakash Sharita Devi (pictured), 67, was killed after a taxi she was traveling in plunged off a cliff in Sri Lanka
Footage from the aftermath of the crash showed a wrinkled blue Toyota lying on its side
Sri Lanka Police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa confirmed the identity of the deceased.
Her 30-year-old daughter, who also traveled in a hired taxi, [was] injured and receiving treatment at the hospital. She is out of danger,” Mr Thalduwa told the ABC.
Footage of the aftermath shows a crumpled blue Toyota lying on its side.
Tributes have poured in for Mrs. Prakash, who is believed to be a popular figure among Sydney’s Fijian community.
Entrepreneur Bobby Phillips posted a heartfelt video paying his respects to Ms Prakash, his ‘very good friend’.
“I just can’t believe you died in this lifetime,” he wrote.
‘May God bless your soul. My condolences in this period of mourning within the family.’
Others described her as a “beautiful soul” and a “beautiful person.”
“She was such a kind, humble person and she will be so missed,” said one.
Another wrote, “RIP, my best friend, more like my older sister. You left so early.’
Tributes have poured in for Ms Prakash (right), who was described as a ‘sweet soul’ and ‘beautiful person’
Someone else commented on how dangerous the roads are in Sri Lanka after visiting the country three weeks ago.
“I know how reckless drivers are out there, especially when cornering on winding narrow roads,” they wrote.
“I’d like to tell my driver I don’t want to return to Australia in a box.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade provided consular assistance to the Devi family.
“High Commission Consular Officers in Colombo are supporting another Australian woman who was injured in the accident,” a department spokesman said. 7news.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family.”