Tributes for 21-year-old Kai Malseed killed in single-vehicle crash at Mingbool near Mount Gambier

Friends and family are mourning a young Mount Gambier man, described as the “life of the party”, after a fatal car crash killed the popular 21-year-old.

Kai Malseed is being remembered as a young man “with a gorgeous smile”. Picture: Facebook

A young man “with a gorgeous smile” has been remembered as the “life of the party” as friends and family mourn the loss of the 21-year-old man killed in the South-East.

Kai Malseed, of Mount Gambier, was killed on Saturday when his Mazada ute left the road and crashed on Peweena Rd, at Mingbool – north of Mount Gambier – at about 9.45pm, January 6.

Mr Malseed’s boss, Jake Douglass of GT Bobcat, said the tragic death of the young truck driver happened on the eve of his one-year anniversay at the company.

He described Mr Malseed as a popular, genuine person.

“He was a good kid with a good work ethic and was always the life of the party,” he told The Advertiser.

“Kai was outgoing, loved to have a go at anything and was a good, genuine person ... he had lots of friends here.”

It comes as family and friends took to social to pay tribute to the young man affectionally known as “Cowboy”.

Kai Malseed died in a crash near Mount Gambier. Picture: Facebook

Flowers left at the scene of a fatal accident at Peweena Rd, Mingbool. Picture: Jessica Dempster

Family member Geordan Thomas posted a tribute on Facebook to her young cousin.

“21 years of you beautiful boy, 21 years of being the life of the party, 21 years of mischief, 21 years of your gorgeous smile, 21 years of laughter,” she posted.

“Heaven doesn’t know what’s hit them. Give Nan Kay so much love from us. We are so proud of everything you achieved and we love you so much cowboy.”

“This world is never going to be the same without you … you are loved by so many people mate.”

Bailee Campell was one of many friends to take to Facebook to pay tribute to the young man affectionately known as ‘Cowboy’.

“I never thought I’d see the day where one of my best mates would be gone, I love and miss you so so much Kai you were always one of the first people to check up and that’s what I love about you,” she posted.

“I’m gonna miss all the little adventures we would randomly have … I’m gonna miss you driving past my house and honking the truck horn at me while you were at work.”

“You deserved the world and I hope that one day I’ll be able to see you again, fly high you gorgeous soul you were gone too soon.

“I’ll always be looking up at the skies to let you know I’m still here missing you and forever will be.”

A spokesman for SA Police said they were first notified of the crash through an Apple alert and by a neighbour living near the scene.

According to Apple, certain iPhone or Apple watches have an in-built “Crash Detection” feature that helps users connect to emergency services through the automated “Emergency call”.

The feature is designed to detect severe crashes for cars such as “sedans, mini-vans, SUVs, utes and other passenger cars.”

Once a user’s device has detected impact including “front, side rear-end collisions, rollovers,” an alarm will sound with an alert displayed by the device.