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Jashmatbai Patel - Source: ONE News -
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Stories of a 78-year-old's utter devotion to his family are emerging, in the wake of his death after a road rage attack.
Jasmatbhai Patel is described as the patriarch, who was on his way to help at the family fruit market when set upon in west Auckland.
Patel was attacked after what police called a "minor crash" with a BMW outside Unitec on Carrington Rd, Mt Albert about 8am on Tuesday.
He was admitted to Auckland Hospital shortly after the alleged assault and died on Wednesday.
"I still can't believe it, that he's gone. I try to think that he is still here," says George Patel, son of Jasmatbhai.
Jasmatbai Patel's family was at his hospital bedside for 24 hours hoping for a miracle.
"The doctor told me he had very least chances to survive, but still I was hoping, I was praying to god, I hold my dad's hand and praying to god that he will recover, he will recover," says George.
Student Bio O'Brien, 27, has reappeared in the Auckland District Court, as police investigate what's now a homicide inquiry
"Obviously the assault charge was a holding charge and there will be another charge, that's inevitable, says his lawyer, David Niven.
It is alleged O'Brien dragged Patel from his van and punched him repeatedly to the head, leaving him bloodied and unconscious.
While the police are continuing to interview the many witnesses to the road rage incident, the Patel family is reeling.
"We've just been in complete shock. We just can't believe someone would do this to a 78-year-old-man," says grandson, Mukesh.
Patel followed his children out to New Zealand from India in 1977, helping establish the family business and helping raise his grandchildren
"He taught us a lot about hard work and that nothing comes for free...family values were important," says Mukesh.
The family shop in Mangere remains closed out of respect.
"We don't know what we're going to do without him," says Mukesh.
The Patels are still unsure how life will go on without the man, who gave everything for them.
