Loved ones have shared tributes to a 19-year-old boy who died when the car he was driving became airborne and struck a tree.
Malakai Chase, 19, died in hospital after first emergency responders pulled him – and his 19-year-old passenger – from the wreck of a car wrapped around a tree off Scarborough Beach Road in Perth just after midnight on Saturday.
His family and friends have shared heartbreaking tributes to the promising rugby talent whose life was cut tragically short.
“Malakai’s family are all heartbroken and are still in complete shock,” a friend said in a post to GoFundMe on behalf of the family on Monday.
He has been described as a “natural talent” on the field, had played games in both Australia and New Zealand and was looking forward to signing an NRL contract one day.
It is one of two GoFundMe’s created to ease the financial burden of his shocking death from his family, with almost $9,000 already donated.
“Malakai was a shy gentle giant with the brightest bright eyes that would light up in any room he walked into,” the family friend said.
“[He] was also that cheeky boy that kept us all on our toes.
“But it‘s the kindness and his love for his family that stood out in him the most.”
Witnesses describe crash scene
Witness Oscar Poppelwell told 9 News he heard three bangs before running into the street to see what had happened.
He said it looks like the car “mounted the kerb, got airborne, and then went flying into the tree”.
Inspector Vic Hussey said the force of the impact was so powerful that the engine was pushed into the front seats of the car.
“It was a very confronting scene for those who were first on the scene,” he told 9 News.
The 19-year-old male driver sustained critical injuries and was taken by ambulance to hospital.
However, he died later that night.
The sole passenger, a 19-year-old male, sustained serious leg injuries and was also taken to hospital.
Major crash investigators are hoping to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the crash or seen the sedan travelling in the area prior to the crash.
They are urging anyone with information relating to the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestopperswa.com.au
Any dashcam or mobile phone vision can be uploaded directly to investigators at the following link.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by a road crash, contact Road Trauma Support WA on 1300 004 814.
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