Sydney Harbour Bridge crash victim Jamal Choukri’s family sets up GoFundMe campaign to send body to Morocco

The devastated family of a man killed in a crash on the Harbour Bridge last week is pleading with Sydneysiders to help get his body home to Africa.

The “absolutely distraught” family of a man killed in a crash on the Harbour Bridge last week is pleading with Sydneysiders to help get his body home to Africa.

Jamal Choukri, 44, was travelling south along the bridge last Thursday, when a 51-year-old man driving a blue Hyundai i30 crossed onto the wrong side of the road and hit a Mercedes before smashing into Mr Choukri’s vehicle.

Both were killed on impact, and Mr Choukri’s distraught family is now desperate to get his body back to Morocco for burial.

Amal Abu-Rassaa, whose stepfather was Mr Choukri’s uncle, has set up a GoFundMe campaign in a bid to make this happen.

“(Mr Choukri’s family) gave a brief estimate with the burial costs and also to cover the funeral services over there in Morocco,” she told this masthead.

The crash that killed Jamal Choukri. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

“There’s a lot of members that want to pay their condolences, along with people from the village.

“Because it’s a tragedy, a lot of people want to come and pay their respects.

“Along with the burial comes religious funeral services. They would have to pay for a sheik to come and give some prayers.

Jamal Choukri was known as a hard worker who loved going out with friends. Picture: Supplied

“And his mum and dad have requested for the body to be sent back, too.”

Mr Choukri’s parents were devastated when they heard the news, with his mother hospitalised after fainting multiple times.

“They’re hanging in there as much as they can … they were absolutely distraught, especially when you’re in another country and you pretty much can’t get here,” Ms Abu-Rassaa said.

“We didn’t believe it at first. My stepfather was actually stuck in traffic for four hours in the city on (the day of the crash).

“Little did he know that it was his nephew. So when we received the news, we were just shocked and quite emotional.

Jamal Choukri’s family in Australia has set up a fundraising campaign in a bid to get his body home to Morocco. Picture: Supplied

“Yesterday at the mosque was his washing, and obviously seeing (Mr Choukri) getting washed was probably one of the hardest things (my stepfather) ever had to do in his life.”

Mr Choukri was on his way to work as a truck driver when the crash occurred.

He has been described as someone who came to Australia to create a better life for himself.

The 44-year--old enjoyed his work in Port Botany and hanging out with loved ones.

Jamal Choukri loved his work and his life in Australia. Picture: Supplied

“He was just very social. (He) loved going out with friends, loved going out and camping, loved music, and his friendship network has been probably the best I’ve ever seen from anyone else to be honest,” Ms Abu-Rassaa said.

At the time of writing on Friday morning, the crowdfunding campaign had raised $1625 of the $10,000 goal.

Ms Abu-Rassaa said Mr Choukri’s family in Sydney and Morocco were beyond grateful.

“Any donation, even just sharing the link and getting the word out is greatly appreciated by the family,” she said.

“Everyone here and over there are absolutely grateful for Australia and the support from friends, family, acquaintances, the media and everyone.”