Why do bad things happen to good people?

I have a friend who was quite happy and contented in life. He lived a normal life. Normal life meant that his life was filled with the usual share of happiness and distress that filled up the life of a normal person. He has a family to care for at home and a job to attend to at work. His morning-to-evening routine was again normal. A normal middle-class life with enough salary to live a life that most of the middle class lived. He lived with his wife and three kids. Like any normal householder, he enjoyed his time with his family. He sent his children to school and had dreams about them. He was quite religious too. He went with his family to the church every Sunday. He ensured that his children went to Sunday school to learn moral values and good life lessons. They used to pray together at home too. He thanked God every day for blessing him with a good life, family, house, job, etc.

A few months earlier, he was coming home with his family after the Sunday program at the church. As usual, all of his family enjoyed the time they got to spend with each other in the car. This was a very private time and there were no other distractions. On this day, an unfortunate and horrible event happened. He was driving the car and got distracted by the conversation. Another vehicle came from nowhere and hit his car. It was a bad hit. Someone informed the police. The police and the ambulance came to the spot in about five minutes. Everyone had bad injuries but one of his children did not survive. The doctor confirmed the child dead on the spot. He, his wife, and the other two children were taken to the hospital unconscious and in serious condition. After about half a day, he regained consciousness and subsequently his wife and the two other kids. Soon he learned the news of the child whose face he will never see again. His family was shattered and heartbroken. After a few days, they all returned home but with one member less.

This tragedy left him and his family in a lot of pain. Their days were not the same anymore. The usual talks among family members stopped. Occasionally someone would just burst out crying at the thought of the child they lost. He was confused and puzzled about why this happened to his family. He was regular with church and matters concerning God. He used to give his share of donations to the church to be used in the service of God. He was sure that God could not be unhappy with him. He was sure that he was doing everything he could to keep God happy so that he and his family could be happy. Then why did God snatch away his child in such a cruel way and that too while returning from the church? As an impulsive retaliation, he closed his altar and discarded the paraphernalia used for worship. He stopped going to the church. He did not even want to see the face of the God whom he loved with all his heart once. He was angry with God and held Him responsible for what happened.

Life throws such daggers and spears at us occasionally. Some are lucky not to be struck by these daggers and spears, and they live their lives and pass away from this world without any tragedies. Then there are others on whom tragedies follow one after another like a procession. Some like this friend of mine get struck with one tragedy, and that leaves him shaken and completely broken. I wanted to tell my friend about karma and its effects. But this is not the right time. He will not understand and think that I am trying to teach him philosophy. I know time will heal, but his outlook towards life and God will not be the same again. His other two kids will grow up hating God and may turn into atheists.

Why did this happen to him and his family? Why did the child pass away without enjoying the pleasures that life gives? Why did God not allow the child the joy and fun of good friends and being with them? Why did God deny the child the pleasures of marriage and the joy of having children? Why did God decide not to allow this child to pass away without experiencing buying a good car, wearing good clothes, going to school, going to parties, getting a good job, earning money, going on vacation, eating out, etc.? Why did God take this child away at the tender age of just seven? For karma to act in such a heinous way, the child should have done something very sinful, but what sin can a child aged seven do? Why do bad things happen to good people?

What do you think? Is there anything that will make the family the happy (or rather OK) again? Is there any advice that can be given to my friend that will make him love God again? Is there any help that can be provided to my friend so that he considers God worthy of his prayers again? What can we do to make his wife and kids start trusting and loving God again?