A Swedish man who was joyriding in a shopping trolley down a steep road in Sydney's east overnight died when the out-of-control trolley struck a car at high speed and the man was catapulted into the gutter, police say.
The man's friend, who is also a Swedish national, was standing on the back of the trolley at the time of the crash and remains in Prince of Wales Hospital in a serious but stable condition following the collision on Coogee Bay Road in Randwick about 12.20am on Tuesday.
Police said the friends, both aged 28, were believed to be walking home when they found the abandoned shopping trolley and decided to ride it down a steep section of Coogee Bay Road. But their apparent plan to "have a bit of fun together" turned deadly, Chief Inspector Chris Stiles said.
He said the trolley was estimated to have reached speeds of up to 80km/h before it crossed to the incorrect side of the road near Coogee Bay Road's intersection with Judge Street. The trolley crashed into a car, which was travelling in the opposite direction at the sign posted 60km/h speed limit.
Detective Superintendent Gavin Dengate, the Eastern Beaches local area commander, said both men were thrown from the trolley due to the force of the crash.
"Unfortunately we all know what shopping trolleys are like, they are very difficult to control," he said.
"The male who was in the shopping trolley was catapulted out, landing in a kerb on the southern side of the road. The other person landed after the collision in the middle of the road."
He said the driver of the vehicle and a passing cyclist provided first aid to the injured men before police and paramedics arrived.
"The person in the shopping trolley died at the scene. The other male has numerous injuries, [and is] currently at hospital in a serious but stable condition," Detective Superintendent Dengate said.
"We unfortunately now are organising to talk to families and let them know what has occurred. We're talking to friends. We're dealing with what is just a tragic, tragic incident, both for the close group of friends and the families concerned."
The man who died was a student at the University of NSW, said Professor Ian Jacobs, the university's President and Vice Chancellor.
"The university is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of one of our international students in an accident overnight in Randwick," he said.
"Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with the young man's family and friends at this difficult time.
"The university is providing support services and is continuing to work with local police."
The man had been studying in Australia for the past two years, while his friend arrived in Australia about a week ago to visit him.
The 45-year-old male driver of the vehicle, from South Coogee, was not injured and returned a negative breath test at the scene, Detective Superintendent Dengate said.
The driver was taken to hospital for mandatory testing, and was shaken by the incident, he said.
"Physically [there is] no major issue, but I think we all certainly feel for him. He has been involved in a very, very tragic incident," he said.
Police have not yet been able to speak to the injured man, and it was unclear whether the friends had consumed any alcohol before deciding to ride in the trolley, Detective Superintendent Dengate said.
The trolley remained near the intersection on Tuesday morning, its front left side badly damaged from the impact.
Detective Superintendent Dengate said it was not clear whether the Swedish man who survived the crash would face any charges.
"We will certainly look at all that ... Certainly it's too early to speculate at this stage," he said.
He also issued a warning to pedestrians following the incident.
"If you're on the road, particularly in the early hours of the morning, regardless of whether you've been drinking or not, motor vehicles do kill people," he said.
