EXCLUSIVE
A university professor was murdered in front of his wife and children when a mysterious object smashed through the windshield of his car as the family drove home after a day of cherry picking before Christmas.
Dr. Majharul Talukder, 49, an assistant professor at the University of Canberra, was driving along Burley Griffin Way at Galong N.S.W Hilltops region on Sunday evening when the deadly object flew away a caravan traveling in the opposite direction.
The unknown object smashed through the windscreen and struck Dr Talukder in the head, killing him before emergency services could arrive.
His wife, 48, and two daughters, 16 and 13, who were traveling in the same vehicle, were not injured but were taken to Canberra Hospital in shock.
In an online tribute, Canberra’s Bangladeshi community revealed that Dr. Talukder had spent the day picking cherries in nearby Harden at an event organized by a charity organization and was returning home when the tragedy unfolded.
‘Dr. Majhar was a highly regarded assistant professor at the University of Canberra and a committed supporter of the Islamic School of Canberra and Belconnen Masjid. His family members are unharmed at this stage,” the message read.
‘We express our deepest condolences to the family. We pray to the Almighty to grant him Jannatul Firdaus and give his family strength to cope with this irreparable loss.”
Dr. Majharul Talukder, 49, (pictured) was an assistant professor at the University of Canberra in their business faculty
Tributes continue to flow online for Dr. Talukdar, with devastated friends describing him as ‘determined’, ‘hardworking’ and ‘pious’.
A spokesperson for the University of Canberra (UC) said Dr Talukdar was a “respected” member of the UC community.
“During the 16 years of his tenure, Assistant Professor Talukder made significant contributions to UC through his collaborations in teaching and research, and he will be remembered as a kind and dedicated academic,” they said.
Friend and former colleague Md. Saidul Islam said he had “thousands of memories” with him.
“Determination, hard work and constant perseverance are the key to success, I have seen that in him a hundred times, and I have followed his example in many places,” he said.
‘He was extraordinary, gentle, useful and a devoted soul to religion. He loved me so much that he often told me to settle in Australia. I also loved him very much, and loved him with all my heart before Allah.’
Friend Abdul Jalil said he became close to Dr Talukdar when they were both working at a university in Malaysia.
“He was very steadfast and committed to achieving his life’s goal and, above all, was very devout towards Allah,” he wrote.
A man, 49, was killed on Burley Griffin Way in Galong (pictured) after an object fell from a caravan and smashed into his windscreen
“From Malaysia he went to Germany and came back to Malaysia, then went to the US and came back to Malaysia again and then went to Australia to give chase. [a] Ph.D. degree and established himself as a dedicated academic at the University of Canberra.’
The man, 32, who was towing the caravan was not injured in the incident.
He was transported to Harden Hospital for mandatory testing.
Officers from the Crash Investigation Unit spent time examining the scene
The police investigation into the incident continues.
Anyone with information, dashcam or mobile phone footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.