Warwick student dies in car accident in India

A Warwick Business School undergraduate, Shivraj Naskar, died in a severe car accident in India earlier this week. He was due to start his final year studying Accounting and Finance in October.

The accident, on 22 August, was allegedly the result of a “beach joyride” at Mandarmani sea beach, 180km from the city of Kolkata, according to the Times of India.

Naskar and his two school friends, Suraj Dasgupta and Vaibhav Shandilya, were found in a mangled Ford EcoSport, which collided head-on with a BMW X3. All three were in their early twenties.

Passersby rushed to help free the three young men from the wreckage, but all were pronounced dead on arrival at Contai Subdivisional Hospital.

Police are still investigating the cause of death, however local reports suggest two possible causes are drunk driving and attempted car stunts.

The families of the three young men were previously unaware that they were going on a long drive. Naskar’s father, along with relatives of Naskar’s friends, rushed to Mandarmani after receiving news from local police.

Friends from Warwick and Naskar’s alma mater, Calcutta International School, have been paying tribute to him online.

The University of Warwick Tennis Club have praised Naskar as one of their most “committed and active members” in the previous academic year.

They added: “Shiv was an incredible guy, always out to have fun and loved his time at Warwick. We as a club were grateful to have him join us this year and the kind of enthusiasm and spirit he brought to all events is something we all could learn from.

“We all know how much he loved tour and how much fun it was to have him around at circle or social play alike.”

One of Naskar’s close friends, Jason Kitenge, had exchanged text messages with him just two days before the accident took place.

He commented: “He was a great person, [and this accident should] remind all of the dangers of drink driving because it’s cost us all so much.”

Kitenge, in a post written on Facebook, stated: “[Naskar’s death has] left myself and so many others heartbroken, yet filled with joy to have met such a unique, talented and all round individual. I thought we would be around each other for a lot longer.”

A representative for Warwick Business School said: “This is very sad news and will be felt deeply by staff and students across the University.

“We offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this tragic time.”

Naskar’s housemates and old school friends also paid tribute to him by posting photographs and pictures that describe him as a good student, a good friend and well-liked by all.

We at the Boar would like to express our deepest condolences to the families, close friends and classmates of Shivraj Naskar and his two friends.

If you knew Shivraj and are affected by this news, there is a range of University support available to you. The Student Support Services website gives more details about University Support Services, or you can contact them on 024 76 575570.