Two Melbourne nurses who were killed on a freeway while trying to rescue an injured kangaroo had just shared a heartbreaking message on social media.
Sarala Khadka and Areeza Suwal were nurses together at the Alfred Hospital and inseparable friends who were on their way to celebrate Suwal’s 30th birthday when tragedy struck on the Hume freeway on Thursday night.
The pair stopped to help an injured kangaroo when they were fatally struck by a car that couldn’t see them in the dark.
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Just hours before their tragic accident, Sarala paid tribute to her friend of 14 years in a Facebook post.
Sarala Khadka and Areeza Suwal were nurses together at the Alfred Hospital. Credit: 7NEWS “Through all these years, you’ve been my constant, my partner in crime. From laughing till our stomachs hurt to comforting each other in tears, we’ve seen it all and we’re still here stronger than ever,” she wrote.
Both women came to Australia from Nepal, and news of their deaths has sent shockwaves through their community.
“It was very sad to hear that happened. These people are very kind in our blood,” community member Shrawan Dangol said.
The tragedy occurred during a Nepalese religious festival that commemorates the deceased.
“They were supposed to be here in this program. I think the whole community is saddened by their news,” Dangol said.
The Alfred Hospital says it’s helping colleagues who have undoubtedly been hit hard by the loss.
The women’s families now face the heart-wrenching task of repatriating their loved ones home to Nepal, more than 9,000 kilometres away.
“We definitely miss them,” a community member said.