Get the latest news from across Ireland straight to your inbox every single day Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up! Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice An Irishman who lost his life in a horrific car crash in Sydney has been named locally. Francis Shanley, 36, was originally from Bornacoola, Co Leitrim but had settled in Australia after moving there over 10 years ago. A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, told the Irish Mirror: "Francis has lived away for several years but the family are very well known in the area and the whole community is in shock. "Francis was a lovely lad. It's just terrible news - it's not something that any family should have to go through." The Leitrim mechanic’s tragic death comes as he was preparing to tie the knot with his long term girlfriend Broc Nicholson. Francis was set to wed his Australian partner, who he met after moving down under, next year. Broc shared a heartbreaking tribute on Facebook which read: "Most of you have heard the devastating news of our beautiful, strong head, lucky charm Irish boy Francis Shanley has sadly passed away today. (Image: Facebook) "He will be forever in our hearts and sadly missed. I thank you all for you love, support and messages of kind words. "Going to be a long road ahead getting back on our feet. Please understand that if I do not respond straight away. But will shortly get back to you, fly high my beautiful angel. I love you forever and always". Francis was on his way to work when his vehicle was hit by a truck carrying beer kegs and was forced under the cabin of the truck. The Irish national was working as a tradesman and lived in the Wentworthville area of the city. The Irish consulate in Sydney has confirmed they are offering consular assistance to his family following the incident. (Image: Nine News Sydney) Police have made an appeal for a driver who they said left the scene of the fatal crash which happened on the M4 motorway in West Sydney at 5.50am on Thursday morning. While investigators are not suggesting the driver of the unknown vehicle caused the crash, they do believe they may have information which may clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident. Five people were taken to hospital for treatment following the crash and all drivers underwent mandatory drug and alcohol testing. Crash Investigation Unit Commander, Inspector Katie Orr, said police wanted to speak with the driver of the 11 vehicle to find out what they may have seen at the time of the crash. (Image: Nine News Sydney) “We want to speak with this driver to find what they know about the events leading up to the crash,” Inspector Orr said. “We also want to speak with any drivers who may have witnessed the crash and left the area or have relevant dash-cam footage.” All citybound lanes have now re-opened after more than five hours of disruption and a 15 kilometre long tailback.<doc-sep>The man who was killed in a car crash in Sydney, Australia, has been named as Francis Shanley from Bornacoola in Co Leitrim. The 36-year-old was on his way to work in Sydney this morning when his car was hit by a lorry during a multi-vehicle collision. Mr Shanley was working as a tradesman and lived in the Wentworthville area of the city. The Irish consulate in Sydney is providing assistance to his family. Five people were taken to hospital after the crash.<doc-sep>
Tributes have poured in on social media for the Irishman who died in a car crash in Australia. The Leitrim man has been named locally as Francis Shanley and was living and working as a tradesman in Sydney. Mr Shanley was killed when the car he was travelling in crashed into a truck, which was carrying beer barrels. New South Wales police said the 36-year-old man was living in the Wentworthville suburb of Sydney. His family and friends are now paying tribute to him on social media, as his Australian fiancée Broc Nicholson described him as her ‘lucky charm Irish boy’. She wrote: ‘Most of you have heard the devastating news of our beautiful, strong head, lucky charm Irish boy Francis Shanley has sadly passed way today. ‘He will be forever in our hearts and sadly missed. I thank you all for you love, support and messages of kind words. ‘Going to be a long road ahead getting back on our feet. Please understand that if I do not respond straight way. ‘But will shortly get back to you fly high my beautiful angel I love you forever and always.’ Another person said: ‘Just numb can’t believe it….don’t wanna believe it!’ A second pal added: ‘Fly high Francis you and your wicked sense of humour will certainly be missed by us all!! Thinking of you.’ Another person wrote on Facebook: ‘Still in shock can’t believe this mad man is gone!! ‘Rest In Peace Francis. Sending our deepest sympathies from Leitrim Broc and all of his family and friends & he had many friends.’