A young international student who died in a car crash early this morning has been remembered as a “generous” and “kind” young man.
Friends say Syed Prottoy had moved to Adelaide to build a better future.
Prottoy was in the back passenger seat, while his two friends were in the front, when their Mazda swerved off a road near Yankalilla on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula at about 3.30am today.
The 20-year-old student died at the scene.
Community leader Mahbub Siraz Tuhin said the student had come to Australia “with a big dream”.
“At the start of their dream, it’s simply ended,” he said.
“This boy was very talented, very generous, very nice and kind hearted. Everyone loves this boy.”
The two other men in the car, both 21 years old and fellow international students, were rushed to hospital for surgery.
“Very shocking situation for them as well, like mentally and psychologically,” Tuhin said.
“They in a traumatised situation now.”
Parawa Road was closed in both directions for much of the day as major crash police began to piece together how the tragedy unfolded.
There are reports the Mazda’s driver had swerved to avoid a kangaroo, which is a hazard the area is notorious for.
The Royal Automobile Association senior manager of road safety Charles Mountain said drivers should not swerve to avoid the animal.
“As unpalatable as it may seem,” Mountain said.
“The best course of action that you can take is to brake as firmly as you possibly can.”
9News understands a one of the victims’ smart phones first alerted emergency services to the incident, sensing something had gone wrong using crash detection technology and sending a call for help.
South Australia’s Bangladeshi community has come together to support the victim’s family back home.
“His family is eagerly waiting to see for the last time their kid, so that’s a very emotional moment for them,” Tuhin said.
