Temora has been left in shock by the "sickening" loss of 23-year-old Bronson Block in a car crash.
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Mr Block died after the Mitsubishi Triton utility vehicle he was driving hit a tree on Moroneys Lane just outside Temora about 9.25pm on Thursday.
A 19-year-old male passenger in the vehicle survived with minor injuries.
Temora mayor Rick Firman said Mr Block was a "polite, well-mannered and respectful" young man.
"I know the young man and I know his family and it is tragic and it is very sad," Councillor Firman said.
"I think any loss from a community, whether you know someone or not, it still touches you deeply.
"The prayers and love and strength are with his family and we will be here for them as a community when they are ready to reach out.
"It's a shock. It's sickening to lose a life so young."
Riverina Police District Detective Inspector Adrian Telfer the 19-year-old passenger in the utility had tried to save Mr Bronson after the crash.
"It's a terrible accident and it has far-reaching effects on the community of Temora," he said.
"There was another passenger in the vehicle and that individual tried to help the driver and a number of residents out there tried to assist him but unfortunately he died at the scene."
Mr Block had just returned after a year overseas in New Zealand and had rejoined the Temora Kangaroos AFL club.
Outgoing club president Peter Gerhard said it was a "tough time" for the club. He said Mr Block "gave it 100 per cent" in everything he did for the Kangaroos.
"I think we will have a mark of honour for him on the first home game of the season. It has cut everyone up pretty bad," Mr Gerhard said.
Multiple generations of Mr Block's family have been involved in the club.
"He wasn't the greatest player in the club but he was a trier and he always did his best," Mr Gerhard said.
"He played a few games of first grade and I think he was getting better and better as a football player."
Cr Firman, who has a menswear store in Temora, recalled how Mr Block made sure he was wearing a suit and tie correctly for the debutante ball.
"We decked him out in his suit for the Debutante of the Year Ball and he was this young tradesman and he wanted to do his tie knot like mine: a Windsor knot," Cr Firman said.
"He kept coming in for the week of the ball after work and get me to teach him to tie a Windsor knot.
"It just surprised me that he was so interested and so keen, but he wanted to get it right and do the right thing by his debutante and everyone else around him."