Melbourne Comic-Con Tragedy: Pedestrian Identified as 20-Year-Old Volkan Aksoy
A young man who was tragically killed after being struck by a car outside a popular convention in Melbourne has been officially identified. Volkan Aksoy, aged 20, had just left the Supanova Comic-Con event at the Flemington Showgrounds in Ascot Vale when the incident occurred around 5pm on Saturday.
Aksoy died at the scene, while another 20-year-old man sustained serious lower body injuries and was rushed to the hospital. A third man, although uninjured, was also taken to the hospital for observation as a precautionary measure.
Family Remembers a "Kind and Compassionate" Young Man
In a heartfelt tribute, Aksoy's mother described her son as a "kind and compassionate young man" with a beautiful spirit. She expressed that he was deeply loved and would be profoundly missed by all who knew him, adding that his life was taken far too soon.
Police Investigation Reveals Disturbing Details
According to police allegations, the vehicle involved, a Toyota Echo, crossed multiple lanes of traffic before mounting the curb and hitting the pedestrians. The car then continued down the footpath for more than 100 metres before coming to a stop. The driver was detained by an off-duty police officer and a bystander at the scene.
Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy stated that there is no indication the crash resulted from a medical episode. Instead, the investigation will focus on factors such as speed, alcohol, drugs, and driver distraction. McEvoy noted the rarity of the incident, highlighting how the vehicle managed to travel 120 metres along a footpath lined with obstacles like a two-metre-high fence, trees, and power poles.
Witnesses Describe Chaotic Scene
Eyewitness Rory Rouillon recounted the sudden and shocking nature of the event, describing a screeching sound followed by an immediate impact. He recalled hearing screams and commands for people to stay back, painting a picture of the chaos that unfolded in moments.
Driver Charged and Remanded in Custody
The alleged driver, 33-year-old learner driver Awer Dau, appeared in court on Sunday charged with dangerous driving causing death and culpable driving. Dau did not apply for bail and has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance on September 15.
The police prosecutor requested the extended time between appearances to complete several investigative tasks, including a toxicological report, forensic examinations of the Toyota, review of CCTV footage, gathering of witness statements, and reconstruction of the crash. It was also revealed in court that Dau was allegedly on bail at the time of the incident.
Community Mourns with Tributes and Silence
On Sunday, thousands of attendees at the Supanova Comic-Con convention paid their respects by leaving floral tributes and observing a minute's silence in memory of Volkan Aksoy. The event continued, but with a somber atmosphere as the community grappled with the loss.
This tragic event underscores the devastating impact of road incidents and has left a lasting mark on those involved and the wider Melbourne community.
