RAIPUR (India) • An Indian television presenter has been praised for her calmness and bravery after reading out a breaking news report of a road accident which killed her husband.

Ms Supreet Kaur was presenting a news bulletin on the IBC-24 news channel in Chhattisgarh state last Saturday when a reporter phoned in live with details of an accident which killed three of the five people travelling in a sport utility vehicle.

The report did not name the victims. But Ms Kaur, 28, realised her husband was probably among those killed as he was travelling on the same route and at the same time with four others, the channel's news chief Anshuman Sharma said.

"When the reporter said all the victims were from Bhilai and were travelling in a Renault Duster, she immediately had a hunch her husband had died in the crash."

Ms Kaur nevertheless kept her composure. Only when the bulletin was over did she rush to leave the studio to confirm her fears.

"She is an extremely brave woman. She has been with us for the last nine years. We are really proud of her," said Mr Sharma of Ms Kaur, who was married two years ago.

Social media users heaped praise on Ms Kaur, calling her a hero.

"Salute Supreet's strength in dealing with her husband's demise with extraordinary bravery & professionalism," tweeted the state's Chief Minister Raman Singh.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE