Shopping trolley joy-ride kills Swedish student in Sydney

A Swedish student died after being thrown from a shopping trolley at high speed while his friend who remains in hospital could face charges over the late night stunt.

Two men, both 28-year-old Swedes, were walking home just after midnight from a night out in Sydney on Monday when they made the deadly decision to hop into a shopping trolley and ride it down a hill in the city's eastern suburbs.

Both of the men were thrown from the trolley after hitting a car travelling in the opposite direction at about 60 km per hour.

The man sitting the trolley, a University of New South Wales student who had been in Australia for two years, suffered critical head injuries and died at the scene.

The second man who had only been in Australia for about a week visiting his friend, was riding on the back of the trolley, sustained serious injuries, and remained in hospital.

Authorities told reporters on Tuesday they have yet to speak to the injured man, however have not ruled out pressing charges against him.

Authorities also praised the actions of the 45-year old driver and a passing cyclist who stopped to give medical assistance before emergency crews arrived. Endit