Islander killed in Australia crash

Thursday 09 October 2014

Friends of a young Jersey father who died in a tragic car crash in Australia this week are trying to raise money to bring his body home to Jersey for burial.

The States of Jersey Police have confirmed that Ryan Frederick MacMinn (26) was one of two people killed in a car crash in Australia this week, and police in the Northern Territory say that the two men were killed in a crash seven kilometres north of the town of Elliott at around 3.15 pm on Tuesday.

A posting on the Northern Territory Police Force’s Facebook page reported that no other vehicles were involved in the accident.

Friends of Ryan - who was a father of two children - have already raised more than £4,000 to bring him back to the Island. They set up the “Go Fund Me” page to repatriate his body and left tributes on the page describing him as a special and lovely young man with a great future ahead who was “living his dream and reaching his goals".

More than 200 people have donated and left messages for his family and friends, and door staff will also be collecting this weekend.

A statement from the States of Jersey Police said: “The States of Jersey Police have been informed of the death of Islander Ryan Frederick MacMinn, 26, in Australia, following a road traffic collision.

“The investigation into Mr MacMinn’s death is being led by the Australian authorities. No assistance has been sought from the Jersey Force at this time although the two Forces are in contact.”

Ryan worked on the door at Kasbar nightclub when he lived in Jersey and his former employer has posted a tribute to him on Facebook, saying: “Ryan was a great character and worked with us for some time on the door with his big smile that always cheered everyone up, we will be collecting for his family this weekend to help with bringing Ryan home.

“From all of us at Koko and Kasbar we send our deepest sympathy to his family and we know Ryan will be with us this weekend with that great big smile. Lots of other venues around town will also be collecting so wherever you are all donations are very much appreciated.”