Carlow rallies to support families of crash victims

A SENSE of heartbreak and solidarity has swept through Carlow following the fatal crash on the N80 at Leagh Bends last Friday, which claimed the lives of two Indian students at South East Technological University (SETU).

In response, people from across Carlow, including the wider Indian community and SETU staff and classmates, have united to raise funds for the bereaved families, generating more than €60,000 on GoFundMe in less than a few days.

The driver of the car, Bhargav Chitturi (23), and rear-seat passenger Suresh Cherukuri (24) lost their lives when their car left the road and struck a tree on the notoriously dangerous stretch of the N80 at around 1.15am on 31 January. It’s believed that the vehicle involved in the accident, a black Audi A6, was travelling from Mount Leinster to Carlow town via Fenagh.

Both of the dead men had come to Carlow to pursue postgraduate education in the pharmaceutical and medical service sectors.

Mr Chitturi, who recently completed his master’s degree at SETU, had been working at a local phone repair shop in Carlow town for a year-and-a-half. His employer said: “Yesterday, we were together. It was all fine. When they rang me this morning, I just couldn’t believe it. He was a very lovely person.” Mr Cherukuri was studying medical device regulatory affairs at SETU. He had previously worked as a quality assurance analyst for an India-based pharmaceutical company.

The GoFundMe campaign was organised by Venkat Vuppala, a close friend of the deceased and their next of kin in Ireland. Himself a SETU graduate, Mr Vuppala wrote online: ‘We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Bhargav Chitturi and Suresh Cherukuri. It is with great sorrow that we announce the tragic car accident on 31 Jan at Carlow that claimed the lives of these two Indian students from SETU Carlow.’ 

Donations to the fundraiser have been pouring in. Initially aiming to raise €50,000, the campaign has now stretched its target to €100,000 due to overwhelming generosity and requests to extend the goal.

Mr Vuppala explained that 85% of the funds will be split evenly between the families of Bhargav and Suresh, while the remaining 15% will support the accident’s surviving victim, who is currently recovering from multiple injuries. These funds will be used “for medical expenses, rehabilitation and daily survival needs”.

Reacting to the tragedy, David Denieffe, vice-president for Student Experience at SETU, said: “The SETU community is saddened with the news of the tragic road accident that happened in Co Carlow. Our thoughts are with those involved, their families and friends. Supports are available within SETU for staff and students affected.” 

Local representatives also conveyed their shock and sorrow. Carlow Garda Superintendent Anthony Farrell extended his sympathies to the bereaved and called on the public to respect the investigation by removing distressing images posted online. He further noted that road conditions, potential speed and prior fatal incidents at the same location are all part of the investigation.

Meanwhile, cllr Will Paton said news of the crash had “taken the wind out of his sails”, adding that he was “gutted” thinking of the families. 

Fianna Fáil TD Jennifer Murnane O’Connor offered her condolences, saying: “It’s a shock to the people of Carlow … the community of Co Carlow is behind these families and mourning with them.” 

Tragically, this accident occurred a year to the day after three other young people – Katie Graham, Daryl Culbert and Michael Kelly – lost their lives at the exact same spot on Leagh Bends. Supt Farrell and local councillors have urged immediate attention to this hazardous stretch of road.

“I don’t want to be waiting another year and this time next year we discover, oh my God, another crash has happened again, more young people have been killed,” said cllr Paton.

Gardaí are continuing their investigation and appealing for any witnesses or dashcam footage from the N80 at Leagh between midnight and 1.15am on 31 January to come forward.