Adam Tepper, the founder of bitcoin exchange Independent Reserves, was killed in a motorbike accident in Phuket on Thursday.
Adam Tepper, the founder of Independent Reserve, died after a motorcycle accident in Thailand on Thursday, February 26th, 2015. The crash took place in Phuket, the southern province of the country, where the businessman was spending his holidays.
The 34-year-old Australian businessman was a graduate from Swinburne University in Melbourne. In 2005, Tepper co-founded Asia-Australia Technology, the software engineering firm. Then, eight years later, he established Independent Reserves, the bitcoin exchange for buying and selling the digital currency.
At the night of the accident, Tepper was driving his motorcycle at high speed in the center of the city when suddenly his bike crashed into a trailer that was parked along the road, the local media reported.
According to the local police, Tepper was not wearing a helmet, which caused fatal injuries. His body was found 30 metres away from the bike he was riding. The police is currently searching for the owner of the truck, which was towing the trailer.
The man was declared dead at the scene of the accident and was taken to Thalang Hospital. The identity was confirmed a few days after the crash, because of the absence of identity documents.
Adrian Przelozny, Independent Reserve’s chief technology officer, confirmed Tepper’s death in a post on the company’s website:
“It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you of the death of Adam Tepper. Adam died in a motorcycle accident on Thursday. Adam was a passionate advocate for the use of digital currency in Australia.
He lived his life to the beat of his own drum and Independent Reserve is a testament to his vision, intelligence and perseverance. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and the Bitcoin community. All Independent Reserve functions will continue to operate without disruption.”
Speaking to 7 News, his mother Dianna Tepper told that her son was not wearing a helmet and asked others not to make the same mistake.
“Please don’t ever get on a motorbike without a helmet. If it saves one life, I’m happy,” she said.
Tepper was a known figure in the local community of Phuket. For a long time, he had been an active member of the Ao Chalong Yacht Club, which published a tribute to the businessman.
“We will miss him both at the yacht club bar and out on the water,” the statement reads. The club will host a wake at 6pm Sunday on March 1st.
The funerals will be held in Melbourne on March 6, 2015.
next