Archive · 4 Aug 2025
Octogenarian Couples with Ahmedabad Ties Die in US Car Crash
Four elderly people from India tragically died in a car crash in West Virginia while on a road trip.
The family was traveling to a temple after a visit.
When they didn't arrive, the family contacted authorities.
After an extensive search, their cell phone signals led police to the accident location.
The deceased are linked to historical figures in India, including Mahatma Gandhi, and a school trust.
The family plans to cremate the deceased in the United States.
Four Indian-origin octogenarians, including an Ahmedabad couple, died in a car crash in West Virginia.
The victims were en route to Prabhupada's Palace of Gold ISKCON temple from New York.
Search efforts, hampered by terrain, used mobile phone data to locate the crash site.
The victims were identified as Shailesh and Gita Divan from Ahmedabad and Dr. Kishore and Asha Divan.
The Divan family has a rich history, including ties to Mahatma Gandhi and a local school trust.
- Who
- Shailesh and Gita Divan, and Dr. Kishore and Asha Divan.
- What
- Four octogenarians died in a vehicle crash.
- When
- The crash occurred around July 29th; bodies found late Saturday.
- Where
- Big Wheeling Creek Road, West Virginia, near the ISKCON temple.
- Why
- Their car went off the road into a ravine, possibly due to a misjudged turn.
- Victims
- Shailesh (87) and Gita Divan (83), Dr. Kishore (89) and Asha Divan (86)
- Origin
- Ahmedabad, India (Shailesh and Gita)
- Destination
- Prabhupada's Palace of Gold (ISKCON temple), West Virginia
- Cause
- Vehicle crash
- Location Aid
- Mobile phone data
- Family Ties
- Mahatma Gandhi, Divan Ballubhai High School, Hindu Cultural Society of WNY
- Family Status
- Dr Kishore and Asha Divan have 2 sons, 5 grandchildren and 1 great grandson in the US.
