Indonesian expat dies in horror car crash in South Australia

The Indonesian community is in mourning following the death of a popular young man who came to Australia to build a new life for himself.

Australia’s Indonesian community is in mourning following the death of a young man who died in a horror early morning car crash.

Muhammad Ary Utomo Panjaitan, a 28-year-old Indonesian man, died at the scene in the Adelaide Hills when the car he was travelling in left South Para Road and collided with a tree on October 18.

Three other men, Naufal Hisyam, Ari Hasan Asyari and Abdul Malik Fajar, were in the car with Mr Panjaitan on their way home from nightshift at the nearby Thomas Foods abattoir at Lobethal.

Muhammad Ary Utomo Panjaitan died in a car crash at Chain of Ponds in the Adelaide Hills on October 18, 2023. Picture: Facebook

Muhammad Ary Utomo Panjaitan moved to Australia from Indonesia. Picture: 9News

The three men suffered critical injuries in the crash and paramedics took them to Royal Adelaide Hospital for further treatment.

The Indonesian Islamic Society of South Australia has launched a fundraising appeal for Mr Panjaitan and his friends, with payments available into Australian and Indonesian banks.

“Thank you for praying for the recovery of our brothers, friends, family,” the society stated on Facebook on Thursday.

It is understood Mr Panjaitan’s family hopes to fly his body back to Indonesia.

Tama Napitupulu has paid tribute to her friend Muhammad Ary Utomo Panjaitan after he died in a car crash in the Adelaide Hills on October 18, 2023. Picture: 9News

Tama Napitupulu worked with Mr Panjaitan at the abattoir and told 9News she “couldn’t even stand up” when she heard the news.

“He was such a nice guy, he always put a big smile on his face whenever he said hello to everyone,” she said.

Thomas Foods International said it was “deeply saddened” by the crash and would provide counselling support.

Emergency services raced to the scene about 9.30am and closed off the road between North East Road and Kersbrook Road for several hours.

Four Indonesian abattoir workers were caught up in the horror crash in the Adelaide Hills on October 18, 2023. Picture: 9News

A photo from the scene shows the front of the car crushed in with the front window smashed.

Mr Panjaitan’s passing marks the 93rd fatality on South Australia’s roads this year, a dramatic increase from the 57 deaths recorded to the same period in 2022.

Major Crash Investigators attended the scene to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

It is understood the three men remain in a critical condition in hospital.