A 22-year-old Uber driver working his final trip of the night and a young concertgoer heading home after celebrating his birthday were among three people killed in a devastating crash in Sydney’s south early Saturday morning.
The victims have been identified as Shoaib Hussain, a Pakistani international student and rideshare driver, and 28-year-old Seamus Duignan, a popular Sutherland Shire local and passionate Melbourne Storm supporter. The driver of the Audi involved in the crash, 42-year-old Tamati Gilbert, also died at the scene.
Police said the crash happened about 12.35 am on Rocky Point Road at Sans Souci after a white Audi allegedly crossed onto the wrong side of the road and collided head-on with a Toyota Camry being used as an Uber vehicle.
Hussain, who had reportedly started driving for Uber earlier this year to support himself while studying social work in Australia and send money home to his family in Pakistan, was completing what friends said was his final fare before heading home.
His close friend Qasim Malik told the media the young driver had spoken to him shortly before the crash and mentioned he was finishing one last job for the night.
“He was a kind and nice person, and he was still only young,” Malik said.
“He came here when he was 18. It is a very big loss for his friends and family.”
Friends said Hussain had not seen his family in Pakistan in four years and was known for balancing study, work and family responsibilities with determination and humility.
Passenger Seamus Duignan had been returning home from a Fear Factory concert at Liberty Hall in Moore Park after celebrating his birthday with friends.
Friend Mitchell McLean described him as someone who would “give you the shirt off his own back”.
“One of the most kind-hearted people you’ll ever meet,” McLean said.
Duignan’s brother Sean described him as “a good man, brother and uncle” who “loved a laugh”.
The American industrial metal band Fear Factory also paid tribute after learning one of their fans had died following the Sydney show.
“We were deeply saddened to hear about the tragic accident involving one of our fans who attended the Sydney show,” bassist Dino Cazares said in a social media video.
Police revealed officers had attended a welfare check involving Audi driver Tamati Gilbert at a Gymea Bay home about 10 minutes before the fatal crash. Officers reportedly found Gilbert sitting in the Audi in a driveway, but he drove away before police could speak with him.
CCTV footage later allegedly showed the Audi travelling at high speed moments before the collision.
NSW Police said a full coronial investigation would examine the circumstances leading up to the crash.
The deaths have sparked an outpouring of grief, with fundraising campaigns launched to support both Hussain’s and Duignan’s families.
Hussain’s friends are now working to return his body to Pakistan so he can be buried with his family.
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