Tragic twist after a 23-year-old backpacker dies in a horror car crash on the journey of a lifetime
- Jacopo Martini, 23, died in a car accident
- He was due to fly out of Australia the next day
A young Italian backpacker exploring rural Australia was killed in a horrific car accident just a day before he was due to return home.
Jacopo Martini, 23, died on his way to his own farewell party on Friday night after working for three months at Sumich West Hill Farm, 90 miles north of Perth.
The red Mitsubishi Lancer in which he and three others were driving collided with a Toyota Hilux traveling in the opposite direction at the Lancelin Road intersection on Indian Ocean Drive at about 6:40 p.m.
Mr. Martini, known to his friends at Apo, tragically died on the spot.
The driver of the Lancer, Northern Italian 24-year-old Luca Calliari, was taken to Royal Perth Hospital with critical injuries.
Italian backpacker Jacopo Martini (above) was killed in a car accident on Friday as he was on his way to his own farewell party
Mr Martini (above) had been working at Sumich West Hill Farm in WA for the past three months and was due to fly to Bali with friends on Friday before returning home for the birth of his nephew
“Two more adult passengers of the Mitsubishi suffered serious injuries in the crash and were taken to Joondalup Health Campus and Royal Perth Hospital for treatment,” WA police said in a statement.
“A 29-year-old male driver of the Toyota Hilux and his two adult passengers suffered minor injuries.”
Mr Martini was scheduled to fly from Australia and head to Bali with friends on Saturday before returning home for the birth of his nephew.
His brother, Giuseppe, worked with Mr. Martini on the WA farm and was forced to break the heartbreaking news of his death to their family.
His heartbroken aunt and uncle told Italian media that the 23-year-old was “always kind, always available, always very sweet.” The Western Australian reports.
‘He was our little one. He was happy and outgoing. He was about to conclude his adventure in Australia and ready to go home; he wanted to be there for the birth of his future nephew,” they said.
a GoFundMe created by Mr. Martini’s friends has raised over $52,000 in just four days and is closed to new donations.
Mr Martini’s (above) aunt and uncle describe him as ‘always friendly, always available, always very sweet’
The red Mitsubishi Lancer, Mr. Martini and three others driving in collided with a Toyota Hilux traveling in the opposite direction at about 6.40pm (photo, crash site)
“We have organized this fundraiser to help Jacopo’s family, in particular to cover the significant costs of repatriation to Italy,” the organizers wrote.
“Parents, siblings, all loved ones, friends and people who care about him want him to come home, we would love to have him here with us again.
“Any little bit of help can really matter. Many thanks to all.’
Anyone with information or footage of the crash is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report it online.
