Jamal Choukri identified as victim in Harbour Bridge crash

A Moroccan man who moved to Australia six years ago has been identified as one of the victims of the horror double-fatal crash on the Harbour Bridge.

A Moroccan man who moved to Australia just six years ago was on his regular drive to work when he was tragically killed in a multi-vehicle crash on the Harbour Bridge.

Jamal Choukri, 44, has been identified as one of the victims of Thursday’s horror crash, with his friends remembering him as a “kind soul”.

Mr Choukri was travelling in the southbound lanes of the bridge just after 1.30pm on Thursday when a 51-year-old man driving a blue Hyundai i30 crossed from the northbound lanes and into the path of oncoming traffic.

Jamal Choukri, 44, was killed in a collision on the Harbour Bridge on October 18. Picture: Supplied

The 51-year-old collided with a Mercedes before smashing into Mr Choukri’s Hyundai Accent, killing the 51-year and Mr Choukri on impact.

Mr Choukri has been remembered by a close friend as a “very kind soul” who “loved life”.

“He was just on his way to work,” they said.

“We are so devastated, he was our kind soul.”

The incident immediately prompted calls from the public for safety improvements, with concerned motorists taking to social media to demand lane dividers or barriers.

“People are calling the inside lane a suicidal lane and they avoid this lane when driving on the bridge,” Ross Sortino said.

“A movable barrier should be installed similar to Victoria Road.”

“Absolutely this is why my sister 11th year anniversary is today,” Os Sel said.

“A barrier would of saved her life.”

Police crash investigators collecting evidence after a fatal crash on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“That middle lane is terrifying,” North Shore Mums said.

However, others warned how it could result in the loss of a lane.

A spokesman for Transport for NSW said the department had considered installing a “zipper” machine similar to that used on Victoria Road in Drummoyne after a serious collision in 2015.

However, it was found not to be suitable as it would force the removal of one lane from the Bridge, reducing traffic capacity by 15 per cent, he said.

Following a speed zone and signage review in 2022, clearer signage was installed for motorists.

The crash shut down the bridge for several hours. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The department would consider the findings of the police investigation before assessing how to further deliver further safety improvements across the road network, he said.

“The Sydney Harbour Bridge is not wide enough to fit a movable barrier system and retain all lanes in what is Sydney’s most important traffic route,” he said.

“The Sydney Harbour Bridge has daily traffic volumes of around 160,000 and delays on that roadway can flow on to the entire system, as was experienced on Thursday.

“Security personnel, a network of cameras and response vehicles operate 24 hours a day to clear crashes, detect and repair road faults and help motorists and other Bridge users in distress. We continue to assess how we can deliver further safety improvements across the road network.”