Two young men killed in a horror crash in Paechtown in the Adelaide Hills are being remembered as high-level athletes who were best mates.
The fatal single-vehicle accident just after 5pm yesterday on Echunga Road claimed the lives of two young men, Sami Adnan, 22, and Luke Marko, 21, both prominent figures in the South Australian mixed martial arts (MMA) community.
The two men were returning home from MMA training, a shared passion, when their vehicle hit a tree. Friends and coaches are now remembering them as dedicated athletes and compassionate individuals.
“It was like the three amigos. We’d do everything together,” close friend Alec Burns said.
“Sami just had the absolute heart … he would never quit. Never, never quit.”
MMA coach and competitor Marko has been described as a rising star.
“It would be easy for me to make comment on his accomplishments but it is Luke’s character and old soul approach that I’ll remember forever,” his coach, Daniel Marinelli said.
Fellow coach Anthony Bynoe said Adnan was a selfless friend.
“Off the mats, he was one of the most compassionate people,” he said.
“If it was pouring down with rain and he had a jumper on and you didn’t, he’d take his jumper on and put it on your back.”
Following the tragedy, the victims’ friends have made a sombre plea for people to be vigilant on the roads.
“You’ve gotta be careful. So, so careful,” Burns said.
“You never think this stuff is going to happen to you but it does. It’s horrible.”
Flowers have been laid at the scene of the accident.
A police investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.
This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.
