SINGAPORE — A 23-year-old Nanyang Technological University (NTU) undergraduate died in Slovakia last Friday (Nov 25) after a tree fell on a rented car he was driving during a storm.

Justin Tan Honng Tze, a third-year mechanical engineering student, had been on exchange in the Czech Republic, at the VSB — Technical University Ostrava. He was travelling alone in Slovakia when the accident happened, said NTU in a statement.

His parents and brother flew to Slovakia to be by Tan's side last Wednesday, according to NTU President Bertil Andersson, in an email to students on Monday (Nov 28) night. Professor Andersson added that Tan, a former national athlete who represented the country in sport climbing in the 2011 South-east Asian Games, was found unconscious by a rescue crew. Tan did not regain consciousness after he was sent to a hospital.

“Justin will be lovingly remembered for his outgoing personality and kind heart. He was an avid climber who loved to take on challenges and adventures,” Prof Andersson said, noting that Tan’s parents have decided to donate his organs to patients in Slovakia.

On Monday, the students’ association at the VSB – Technical University Ostrava also posted on Facebook their condolences: "We would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Justin on their loss."

On social media, tributes have started come in for Tan. A Facebook user named Hakim Aziz, who was his hostel neighbour when he was a first-year student, wrote: "We might have not been the closest of friends but what (I) do know is we were hall neighbours that really got each other's back (sic)."

Calling Tan an "affectionate romanticist", Mr Hakim said he was "privileged to have seen you documenting your adventures for this past few months".

He addded: "Though the circumstances of your passing is tragic, (I) do hope and pray you are at a better place right now. Thanks for the memories neighbor (sic), may you rest in peace."

Tan’s body will be cremated in Slovakia, and his parents will return with his ashes to Singapore.

Prof Andersson said that the school had been doing all they can to support and assist Tan's family. Professional counsellors will also assist fellow students in coping with the emotional impact of this tragedy.

He added: “Together, let us offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to Justin’s family and friends, and give them our strongest support during this difficult time.”