DJ Ajax Killed In Tragic Road Incident: Tributes Pour In

It has been confirmed that Australian DJ Ajax has died in a road incident yesterday.

Fairfax have reported that a pedestrian was killed in Parkville after being struck by a truck.

A Victorian Police spokeswoman said, "It's believed the man ran in front of the north-bound truck on College Crescent shortly before 1am. He died at the scene."

Real name Adrian Thomas, Ajax was a founder of both the Bang Gang DJ collective and the Sweat It Out label and management company, with whom he released music through Modular and Ministry Of Sound. He was a much-loved member of the Australian dance music scene.

Tributes for Thomas have been pouring in today:

“We are deeply saddened to confirm the news that our dear friend Adrian Thomas (Ajax) has passed away in a tragic traffic accident.
”Adrian has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of Australian dance music. He was a hugely talented individual and was highly respected by the local and international dance music community as a pioneer and innovator.
”Adrian touched so many people and it is impossible to sum up his legacy in words.
”We could talk about his countless successes and accolades in the many roles he played throughout his career.
”Instead we remember Adrian as person who was loved by everyone, a person who was regularly described as the 'nicest guy in dance music' or the 'reason I got into dance music', a person who made time for every single fan in every club he ever played, a person gave his unconditional support and encouragement to artists on his label and a person who was smart, funny and extremely generous.
”We are devastated and heartbroken to have lost Adrian and our thoughts are with his family and many, many friends who share our grief at this time.”

- Sweat It Out

“Absolutely heart breaking news about one of our long time former resident DJs AJAX. Ajax was resident at Chinese Laundry for over seven years and was a great friend to everyone here and an amazing DJ that was always a crowd favourite.You will be sorely missed.”
- Sydney Club Chinese Laundry

“I woke up this morning to the sad news Ajax (Adrian) has passed away. In my earlier days I'd often cross paths on the Sydney DJ circuit with Ajax and if I knew I was going to I would be stoked because any time spent with Ajax was always positive one. Not only was it a pleasure to listen and watch this very talented DJ mix records together, he was the most lovely down-to-earth person that always had time for a good conversation. This is a real loss to the dance music world. My thoughts go out to family, friends and fans.”
- Sydney DJ and columnist Robbie Lowe

“I don't know if there's been a DJ since Ajax rose to the top in the mid-noughties who's been as loved by the kids for rocking dancefloors, but also respected by chinstrokers and his peers for his skills as well. He played that mash-up style with more brains and respect for the source material than those who followed in his footsteps. I guess he was kind of like Erol Alkan in some respects, in that his rise coincided with he rise of electro house - but once he got there, he proved there was much more to him than one sound.”
- Former 3D World editor and current theMusic.com.au blogger Kris Swales

“Today hurts and I know it's going to get worse, how could it not when you lose someone so special, so talented, someone you shared the majority of your life with… This is to the memory of a beautiful person who will be missed by everyone that ever had the pleasure of meeting him, even for a fleeting moment. He was always a gentleman, a true legend, and my friend that is how you will be remembered – as a legend, a dance legend.”
- Beni

RIP AJAX.vivid memory of us leaving a hotel one morning, and him not realizing he had no shoes on until we were outside

— JFK MSTRKRFT (@jfkmstrkrft) February 28, 2013

Ajax. Quite a legend. The one who always kept the vibes going in Australia, both on the music scene and also as an all round good bloke. RIP

— Fake Blood (@IamFakeBlood) February 28, 2013

RIP Adrian, you were a dear friend and a true believer. The world is a little less bright now but your spirit and the joy you brought.

— The Presets (@therealpresets) February 28, 2013

R.I.P to one of the people who inspired us to start in this business and to the guy with the biggest heart of them all - our friend - AJAX

— Flight Facilities (@flightfac) February 28, 2013

DJ AJAX was one of the best guys I ever knew. He was respected and loved in all corners of the music world and... fb.me/vyRqBWPq

— Children Collide (@ChildrenCollide) February 28, 2013

Dj Ajax was the first guy who brought me down to Sydney to DJ together with him in 2006. he was an outstanding DJ, amazing skills

— Boys Noize(@boysnoize) February 28, 2013

RIP DJ AJAX. We had an amazing time together at Moulin Rouge for 5 years every weekend. You changed… instagr.am/p/WSyp_lR6As/

— THE POTBELLEEZ (@thepotbelleez) February 28, 2013

Very sad news. RIP Dj Ajax.

— YELLE (@YELLEtweets) February 28, 2013

RIP to the dance legend AJAX... you'll be missed. You made the world a better place

— Grant Smillie (@grantsmillie) February 28, 2013

An inspiration, an innovator, a creator, a supporter, a solar, a friend, a peer and one of the finest DJs you have ever seen.

— Nina Las Vegas (@ninalasvegas) February 28, 2013

RIP to Ajax, my thoughts are with all the Australian homies, I can't believe this. Such a warm and generous dude, a real leader.

— Krazee Eyez Killa (@atrak) February 28, 2013

Saddened to hear about the passing of Dj Ajax. RIP

— erol alkan (@erolalkan) February 28, 2013

A true legend. RIP. Thinking of all those close to him, take care of each other.

— modularpeople (@modularpeople) February 28, 2013

Ill never forget the many many jokes & good times with Jaxy. RIP Ajax

— §ÌñÐÈñ (@gSINDEN) February 28, 2013

Every French and European act owes him his OZ fans. He offered sincere, genuine and positive curiosity, support & help. Rest in peace Ajax.

— SND.PE (@soundpellegrino) February 28, 2013

RIP Australia's DJ Ajax. A friend and a great guy. fb.me/2hQQpU7sy

— StantonWarriors (@StantonWarriors) February 28, 2013

Can't believe this has happened. So long Ajax.. Thanks for the good tunes, good times & good vibes.. Love you homie, RIP Dance Legend..

— bag raiders (@bag_raiders) February 28, 2013

RIP Ajax, shocking news.

— Yacht Club Djs (@YachtClubDJs) February 28, 2013

RIP DANCE LEGEND AJAX (Official) FROM EVERYONE AT ONELOVE :(

— Frank Cotela (@ONELOVE_CEO) February 28, 2013

Ajax was a friend to everyone. No matter where you came from or what you did, he always had time, a smile and a hug for you.

— cut copy (@cutcopy) March 1, 2013