On a Saturday afternoon in Melbourne, a routine day of pop culture celebration outside the Supanova Comic Con & Gaming convention turned into an unthinkable tragedy, leaving a beloved young man dead and a tight-knit community grappling with sudden loss.
Around 5 p.m. local time, a vehicle mounted the kerb on Langs Road, directly outside the Melbourne Showgrounds where the convention was being held. The car struck three pedestrians, among them 20-year-old Volkan Aksoy, who died at the scene of the crash. A second 20-year-old suffered severe lower-body injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent treatment, while the third person was discharged after receiving care for acute shock.
According to local broadcaster 9News, Aksoy had spent the entire day enjoying the annual convention, a popular gathering for gaming and comic book fans, before the fatal incident. His family has opened up about their overwhelming grief in the wake of the accident, describing the young man as a warm, gentle presence who loved deeply.
“He was a kind and compassionate young man who cherished time with his friends and family, whom he loved deeply,” Aksoy’s mother told 9News. “He had a beautiful spirit, he was very much loved and will be profoundly missed by all who knew him. His life was taken far too soon.” The family added that they are still unable to process the sudden loss.
Aksoy worked at a fast-food outlet in Keysborough, a south-eastern Melbourne suburb, where colleagues and friends remembered him as a bright, optimistic young person with big ambitions. “He had big dreams, he was very intellectual,” said Hasha Kong, a friend and co-worker. “That’s what I’m going to miss the most about him. The team are still distraught. He would always come in with a smile on his face. Now he’s watching from above.”
Following the incident, Victoria Police arrested 33-year-old Awer Dau, who has been charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing death and culpable driving causing death. Dau appeared via video link at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Sunday, joining the hearing from the Melbourne West Police Station. During the brief hearing, he was not required to enter a plea, and sat hunched with his arms resting on his knees. His lawyer confirmed to the court that Dau would not be applying for bail at this stage.
The court was informed that key investigative evidence, including a toxicological report, forensic examination of the involved vehicle, mechanical reconstruction of the crash, and review of CCTV footage and witness statements, is still being collected and prepared for the case. Investigators also confirmed that Dau was already out on bail at the time of the alleged crash. He is scheduled to return to court for a further hearing on September 15.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Supanova event organizers held a minute of silence at midday on Sunday to honor Aksoy’s memory. “We here at Supanova Comic Con & Gaming are deeply saddened and distressed by the incident that occurred outside the Melbourne Showgrounds this evening,” organizers said in an official statement shared to social media. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by the unspeakable tragedy that has happened on our doorstep.”
Organizers noted that as the incident occurred outside the Showgrounds event precinct and remains an active police investigation, they do not currently have additional details to share. “We will not enter into any speculation regarding this appalling situation until all the facts come to light,” the statement added. Tributes continue to flow from across the community for Aksoy, as loved ones hold space for their grief.