George Yuhan Lin: Young teacher remembered after tragic death
Tributes are flowing for the “genius” HSC economics tutor whose life was tragically cut short when a garbage truck driver allegedly reversed into him in Sydney CBD and left him dead in the gutter.
Central Sydney
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The victim of an alleged garbage truck hit-and-run in Sydney’s CBD is being remembered as a caring and passionate HSC economics tutor who was a role model for his students.
George Yuhan Lin, 21, was walking along Central St looking at his phone and with his earphones on when he was struck by a reversing garbage truck allegedly driven by contractor Tuiniua Fine at 1am on Wednesday.
The Carlingford man - who ran his own tutoring business helping others succeed in HSC economics - is being remembered by a former student as a “kind and supportive” teacher who lit up the room.
Kriti Jain - a student who was tutored by Lin for six months during the HSC - said she felt like her “whole life was crashing” when she heard of Lin’s death.
“He had it all. He deserved to live a long and happy life, but he was taken from us so soon.”
She said Lin was an “academic genius” who - above all - was kind and supportive and would go the extra mile for his students, she said in a touching tribute.
“I admired you a lot I admit for your amazing grades and high intelligence, but six months spent learning from you, I admired you even more for your kindness, your love for teaching, your patience, hard work, understanding and willingness to go above and beyond for your students.
“Thank you so much George. I will never forget you.”
Lin was also a former star student at James Ruse Agricultural High School who finished second in the state in HSC economics and eighth in HSC biology.
His tutoring website said he had also been studying a commerce and law degree, majoring in economics, at the University of Sydney.
A neighbour of the family Betty said she felt sorry for Mr Lin’s mother saying she was divorced and that he was her only child.
“I know the news. It’s so sad,” she told The Northern District Times.
Another neighbour Yan said he was shocked to hear the news of Mr Lin’s death.
“He was only about 20-something. He just graduated from uni where I think he studied finance.”
“He was a gentleman, always polite,” he said.
A close friend John Lee said they had been friends since high school.
“George was not only highly talented in academics and professional work but he was also highly driven to live day to day as best he could,” he said.
“I just remember the times when he and I along with other mates would go to the nearby park to relax and going to nearby restaurants for a nice dinner and conversations.
“George was always willing to help a mate or just to come out and have a good time doing the things he loved.”
Police will allege that Fine was captured on CCTV putting on gloves and dragging Mr Lin’s body to the kerb before continuing on with his garbage run in the area.
He was arrested just a few hours later on the main street of Kings Cross and remained behind bars until his brief appearance at Central Local Court on Wednesday where he did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.
He is accused of a raft of charges including manslaughter, interfering with a corpse, failing to stop and assist and dangerous driving occasioning death.
A group of his family and supporters sat at the back of the court as his matter was adjourned until April.
Sydney City Command’s Detective Superintendent Gavin Wood said the 21-year-old pedestrian was texting on his phone and wearing headphones as he was walking on Central St, which connects George and Pitt streets.
Police allege Fine reversed his garbage truck at speed, striking the pedestrian and knocking him down.
Police allege he drove in a manner dangerous in an area known for pedestrian and vehicle activity.
Police allege after the collision, he got out of his heavy vehicle and allegedly moved the man off the roadway without rendering assistance or contacting emergency services, then drove from the scene.
Police said the incident was captured on CCTV.
Police stopped Fine, a contractor with Sydney Waste, at 4.30am on nearby Darlinghurst Rd where he was arrested, put in handcuffs and taken away.
Det Supt Wood said that the dead man’s phone was missing from the scene and urged anyone who might have taken it to hand it in to police.
“We have absolutely no doubt that the phone was in (the area) in Central Lane, so I would suggest quite clearly someone has picked it up,” he said.
If you have it, please bring it to us, because it’s a significant part of that investigation.
“We’d also like to ask any persons who were in that proximity if they’d seen this young male unfortunately prior to being hit by the truck to give us some information in relation to his movements.”
A Sydney Waste Services spokesman said the organisation was co-operating with the police investigation.
“We are deeply distressed by what has happened,” he said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and friends and we are now co-operating with authorities.”
Fine is facing six charges including manslaughter, fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death, dangerous driving occasioning death – drive manner dangerous, negligent driving (occasioning death), improperly interfere with corpse or human remains, and not reverse vehicle safely.