‘Won’t be forgetting him’: Tributes roll in for Muhammad Kashif, 20, following horror crash at Audley Weir in Sydney’s Royal National Park

A young man who died after a car plunged into water at a notorious river crossing in Sydney’s south has been identified. Emergency services were called to Audley Weir in the Royal National Park about 1.15am on Wednesday after reports a car had entered the water with two people inside. Police were told a blue Audi sedan and a silver Mercedes sedan had been travelling on Audley Rd near Riverside Rd at Audley before the blue car left the roadway, entered the water and sank. The 20-year-old driver managed to escape the sinking vehicle. But his passenger - who has been identified as Muhammad Kashif - became trapped. Mr Kashif, from Casula, was studying electrical engineering at university and was a budding cricketer.x Tributes have started rolling in for the young man, with a Facebook post informing users Mr Kashif “returned to Allah (in the) early hours of this morning after being involved in a fatal accident.” “Please remember our brother and family,” the post continues. “O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him and grant him peace and pardon him. Receive him with honour and make his place of entry... spacious.” Speaking to 9News, Mr Kashif’s former cricket coach Omar Khan said everyone would remember him for his “energy and smile”. “We can’t forget his smiley face,” Mr Khan told the broadcaster. “I won’t be forgetting him for the rest of my life.” Mr Kashif’s body was located by police divers about 10.20am. “The driver of the vehicle … was subject to mandatory testing and has been released from hospital, where he is now in custody at Sutherland Police Station, taking part in a police interview,” Acting Inspector Steven Planinic said. Police confirmed a second vehicle was involved in the incident, with its 18-year-old driver also assisting investigators. “It does not appear at this early stage to be any contact between the two vehicles,” Inspector Planinic said. Police said both drivers underwent roadside breath testing, which returned negative results, before being taken to hospital for mandatory testing. Inspector Planinic said one theory under investigation was whether the vehicles had been racing prior to the crash. The recovered car will be taken for forensic examination and police have established a crime scene, with specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit leading the inquiry. NSW Police also confirmed poor night-time visibility initially slowed the multi-agency search operation. Audley Rd at Audley Weir remained closed in both directions on Wednesday as crash investigators examined the scene. A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.