Jeffin John mourned by Malankara Catholic community after crash death

A South Australian church community is in mourning following the death of a promising university student and youth leader in a crash in regional NSW.

Jefin John sadly lost his life in a crash near Gundagai on August 6, 2023. Picture: Contributed

A tight-knit religious community in South Australia is in mourning following the crash death of a “sweet and positive” university student in regional NSW.

Jefin John tragically lost his life in a truck and car crash in Coolac, north of Gundagai, while driving from Wagga Wagga to Sydney along the Hume Hwy on August 6.

Mr John’s passing reverberated across NSW and South Australia, with tributes flowing for a young man who had so much more to give the world.

Originally from India but had lived in Adelaide for a time, the 23-year-old had strong ties to the Malankara Catholic community.

A friend of nearly a decade, who wished to remain anonymous, said she knew Mr John through church during high school and the early years of university before he moved to Wagga to study radiology at Charles Sturt University.

Jefin John in his younger years. Picture: Facebook

It’s understood he was also a church minister at the Wagga St Basil Jacobite Syrian Church.

“I wish we’d all had the chance and time to know him better, and watch him grow further into the promising, sweet and positive guy he was,” she said.

“I think the amount of love he has pouring in currently is a reflection of that. He will be missed hard, for a long time.”

His friend said Mr John would often return to Adelaide during the holidays and was easily their “strongest youth member” due to his passion.

“You could rely on him to get anything done, especially if it was for the church,” she said.

“Retrospectively, I’m sure everyone sees him as an inspiration. He was genuinely such a loving son and friend, very God-fearing and faithful.

“I think the amount of love he has pouring in currently is a reflection of that.”

Multiple religious and community groups in Adelaide and Wagga paid their tributes online including the Adelaide and Metropolitan Malayalee Association, the St. Thomas Syro – Malankara Catholic Church and the Wagga Wagga Malayali Association.

Others offered poignant tributes to Mr John on Facebook.

“You will always be remembered,” Ashwin Benny said.

“A great student and a dear brother has gone,” Vipin Thomas said.

“His presence and energy will be greatly missed by all of us.”

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.