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 occupied the rear passenger seat, with his two companions seated in the front, when their Mazda veered off a roadway close to Yankalilla on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula around 3:30am this morning.
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 reports that one of the victims’ smartphones initially notified emergency services about the accident. The device detected the crash through its technology and automatically dispatched a call for assistance.
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.
