A deadly head-on collision between two cars in New York has claimed the lives of three Bangladeshis among four victims, casting a pall of grief over the diaspora community. The crash occurred around 7pm on Monday on Highway 9H, about 48km from Albany, the state capital.

Columbia County Sheriff Jackie Salvatore said the collision involved a Toyota Prius and a Toyota Crown.

Nazmul Rubel, 29, who was driving the Prius, died on the spot along with his father Mohammad Hiramon, 60, and friend Fahim Halim, 25.

Fatema Akter Ratna, 33, and her one-year-old son Ikra, who were also in the Prius, were critically injured and are receiving treatment at an Albany hospital.

In the other vehicle, 62-year-old Julia Ritchie died at the scene, while driver Luka Pelvenian was injured.

The Bangladeshi victims and injured are residents of the Bronx in New York City.

Funeral prayers are scheduled after Zuhr on Wednesday at Baitul Aman Islamic Center in the Bronx, with burial to follow at Marlboro Muslim Cemetery in New Jersey, relatives said.

Rubel’s ancestral home is in Cumilla’s Muradnagar. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the crash to contact the Columbia County Sheriff.