Some sad news has just come in, Sydney-based DJ Ajax (born Adrian Thomas), died instantly after being hit by a truck in Parkville, in Melbourne’s inner north just before 1AM.

“It’s believed the man ran in front of the north bound truck on College Crescent shortly before 1AM. He died at the scene,” a police spokesperson was quote saying.

Thomas, who turned 42 yesterday & died on his birthday, was part of the Modular Records signed, Bang Gang  who have to their credit hit compilation albums and club nights and also founded the music label and management company, Sweat it Out.

Tributes have since flooded into Twitter and the popular DJ’s official Facebook page from friends, fans and industry colleagues.

Well-known Melbourne DJ Grant Smillie told the Herald Sun it had been DJ Ajax’s birthday yesterday and that he was shocked to receive the news of his death. ”He was an icon for our industry and was always really positive. His energy was infectious,” Smillie said.

“He had the ability to make the most underground record cool.

“It was his birthday yesterday. I only saw him two weeks ago in Melbourne at an event with Sneaky Sound System.”

OneLove director Frank Cotela said he could not believe the news and that his assistant Tyson O’Brien was good friends with him and was devastated by the news.

“We are really shocked about this, he was a genuine, top block,” Cotela said.

“He was a big part of the OneLove and Stereosonic family, and produced numerous CD’s for OneLove.”

O’Brien said that Thomas had been out on the eve of his 42nd birthday and had plans to meet for dinner with another Melbourne DJ Miami Horror.

“It’s quite shocking news, I was meant to meet up with him but had to work,” he said. “He was the life of the party, a captivating ball of energy and a true dance legend, as he liked to call himself.”

“The tribute messages that have flooded Facebook show how he touched so many people.”

O’Brien also said that DJ Ajax had been an inspiration to many young DJ’s who wanted to break into the industry.“He made a lot of people want to get into DJing. He was inspirational,” he said.

A spokesperson for Modular Records said: “It is a tragedy and a shock and Adrian will be greatly missed. It was an honor to work with, know, and love him. Any further details of his death and funeral arrangements will be communicated by his family at an appropriate time.”

“There’s so many other Australian acts he’d encourage and champion along the way as well. I’ll remember the times we all spent in rainy London together in ’06 when we should have been cold and depressed, but he’d always spread his infectious fireball energy to make everyone cheery and untroubled. People loved to be around him. A hub and father figure of the scene. He’ll be greatly missed.”
Sneaky Sound System‘s ‘Black’ Angus McDonald was a close friend of Thomas.

“RIP my brother, RIP my inspiration, RIP my roomy, RIP my favourite (sic) DJ ever… I love you so f—– much,” McDonald wrote.

American DJ A-Trak wrote, “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.”

German Boys Noize on his facebook page said, “I can not believe the news that our good aussie friend Adrian DJ AJAX has passed away. this is so sad ;( 
he was the first guy who brought me down to Australia in ’06/07 to DJ together with him. he was an amazing DJ with great skills and such a great guy. thank you for all the Joy you gave us, you will be missed***all my love goes out to your family and close friends***RIP AJAX***”

Ajax was regularly voted one of Australia’s Top 5 DJs and launched his own label Sweat It Out in 2008. The label scored major success with Yolanda Be Cool’s international hit “We Speak No Americano”. Ajax will definitely be missed by a large part of the dance music industry and we at The Bangin Beats extend our condolences to everyone close to him including his family, friends and fans.