35-year-old Luca Falcon from Verona is understood to have collided with a lorry on Sunday while travelling to Cape Town, South Africa, by motorbike.
In 2020, he founded Karma on the Road, a non-profit organisation that takes donations of used or discarded prostheses and delivers them to amputees, especially children, in Africa.
He set up the organisation on the back of his own experience of losing a leg in a motorbike accident in 2016.
“The story of Luca Falcon is one of courage, of a strong spirit that overcame difficulties by putting himself at the service of others and doing good,” said Lower House Speaker Lorenzo Fontana.
“We are deeply saddened by his passing.
“Our thoughts are with his wife, all his family members and those who, over the years, have walked with him,” he added.
“The Veneto region will miss among its citizens a man who made solidarity and commitment to the vulnerable and oppressed his mission,” said Veneto Governor Luca Zaia.
“The dedication and courage of volunteers like Luca Falcon, who are committed to peace and to the welfare of the poorest and most marginalised groups in society, are priceless.
“Their passing is a tragedy that affects not only the people to whom they dedicated their efforts, but also the entire international community that benefits from their work,” he continued.
“I offer my sincerest condolences to his wife, family, friends, colleagues and all those who crossed Luca's path, hoping that his sacrifice was not in vain, but may inspire others to continue his mission of generosity and altruism,” concluded Zaia.
ANSA
