Highlights
- Gursimran Kaur, a 19-year-old employee, died in a walk-in oven accident at Walmart in Halifax, Canada.
- Her mother found her body after she went missing from the store floor.
- A GoFundMe campaign raised over Rs 1 crore for the family, surpassing the initial target of Rs 60 lakh.
- The Maritime Sikh Society is helping her father and brother immigrate to Canada.
- Walmart temporarily closed the store and is fully cooperating with police investigations.
Gursimran Kaur, a 19-year-old Indian-origin Walmart employee in Canada, died in a tragic accident involving a large walk-in oven at the store’s bakery.
Gursimran and her mother had been working at a Walmart store in Halifax for two years, after relocating from India three years ago.
On October 19, the unfortunate incident occurred when Gursimran’s mother couldn’t find her on the store floor.
Worried, she approached the store managers for help, only to discover her daughter’s lifeless body inside the bakery’s walk-in oven.
The police, in their official statement, revealed that the young employee’s body was found inside the large oven but have not yet disclosed the cause and manner of the accident.
Authorities continue their investigation, and Walmart temporarily closed the store for further inquiry.
Fundraiser Support for Gursimran’s Family
The Maritime Sikh Society quickly launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Gursimran Kaur’s grieving family.
The fundraiser initially set a target of CAD 50,000 (over Rs 60 lakh), which was surpassed within hours, reflecting the overwhelming support and sympathy of the community.
As donations poured in, the total amount collected exceeded Rs 1 crore.
The Maritime Sikh Society is actively trying to assist Gursimran’s father and brother, who are currently in India, in immigrating to Canada to be with their grieving family members.
The tragic event has shaken the local community, and society representatives collaborate closely with the family and authorities to offer as much support as possible.
Community and Walmart’s Response
The Maritime Sikh Society has expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with Gursimran Kaur’s family.
Balbir Singh, a representative of the society, shared that they are in constant touch with Gursimran’s mother and are focused on ensuring the family remains updated on the investigation’s progress.
Balbir urged local police to be transparent with their findings to help the community understand what led to this tragic incident.
Walmart has extended its cooperation to the investigation and temporarily closed the store where Gursimran worked.
A spokesperson from Walmart told Fortune that they are dedicated to assisting investigators fully and supporting the family during this challenging time.
Efforts to Reunite the Family
The tragedy has drawn attention to the challenges faced by families who immigrate to start a new life. Gursimran and her mother were working hard at the Walmart store to build a better future.
Her father and brother, who are still in India, are now receiving support from the Sikh community in Canada.
The Maritime Sikh Society is making every effort to expedite their immigration so they can be with their loved ones in this difficult time.
While the investigation is ongoing, the community continues to mourn the loss of a young life.
Gursimran Kaur’s death has left her family and the community in a state of deep grief, yet the support and solidarity showcased by people in and beyond Halifax reflect the power of unity in times of sorrow.