A young South Australian motorcyclist who died in a devastating Adelaide crash was only weeks away from marrying his fiancée, Miss Universe Australia state finalist Hayley Sutter.
Salisbury Heights man Aidan Alchin, 23, was riding his Yamaha motorcycle on Gorge Rd at Paracombe when he collided with a Mitsubishi sedan and a Subaru sedan at about 12.50pm on Monday. He died at the scene. The drivers of both cars were not injured.
Alchin and Sutter had been together for five years and were due to marry on December 12 in Hamilton, South Australia. On Wednesday, the couple’s wedding website was still counting down to the day they were meant to wed. Sutter, a South Australian state finalist in Miss Universe Australia in 2025, had shared many photos of the pair together on social media.
His death has deeply shaken Adelaide’s motorcycle community, where he was widely loved. He had been preparing to join a motorcycle ride on Friday in memory of another rider, but the group Two Wheel Turtles said the event would now also pay tribute to him.
“As some of you are aware, yesterday we lost a mate and a brother,” the group said.
“Aidan was so welcoming to the bike community, great to have a yarn and a laugh with.
“Aidan’s NGR ride would have been this Friday. Let’s get around this ride and make it the biggest, for Aidan!
“Ride eternally Aidan! The TWT crew will miss you mate.”
Alchin had previously survived a serious crash in 2022, suffering injuries to his lower back. After that accident, he changed careers, leaving construction to work in his father’s locksmith business.
Friend Louis Parcel remembered the “almost 7FT legend” as someone who would “literally drop anything for you”.
“I remember a few times getting random calls from anonymous numbers saying ‘I know where you are.. look up’ and then seeing Aidan on top of some huge building hanging off waving,” he said.
“Seriously thought this man would literally drop anything for you and have your back always. He was like our personal security guard every time we were filming in the city or out.
“He was always wild but with (a) heart of absolute gold.”
Another longtime friend said he was struggling to comprehend the loss.
“Words can’t explain how much I miss you, bro,” he said.
“From all the birthdays, hanging out, the feeds, all of us boys together, the laughs and all the memories we made over the years.
“I’d give anything to have those days back.
“I miss you so f****** much, bro. Rest easy bro. We love you Aidan.”
Fellow rider Dylan Thorp said Alchin’s death was a painful reminder of how suddenly lives can be changed on the road.
“It’s a heartbreaking reminder of just how quickly things can change when we’re out on the road,” he said.
“Please look out for your mates, check in on one another, ride within your limits and do everything you can to make it home safely.
“The motorcycle community is a family, and today that family has lost one of its own.”
Alchin was one of two people killed on South Australian roads over the Labour Day long weekend. In a separate crash at Virginia, a 52-year-old man died at about 8:45pm on Sunday.
SA Police Inspector Mark Atkinson said the fatalities had led to a renewed call for care behind the wheel and on motorcycles.
“We need members of the community to ride and drive like their life depends on it, because it does,” he said.
“Please make safer choices before more families are left grieving.”
Police urged motorcyclists to ride within their capabilities, reduce their speed and adjust their riding to road and weather conditions. Drivers were also reminded to follow speed limits, avoid distractions, wear seatbelts and never drive while impaired.
