Remembering Malaysia's MH17 victim: The co-pilot with a need for speed

Capt Eugene Choo was an avid big bike fan. And he was into motocross too. -- PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Capt Eugene Choo was an avid big bike fan. And he was into motocross too. -- PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Captain Eugene Choo Jin Leong was a guy who loved speed - and it was not just aeroplanes. He was a big biker, a motocross rider and even a cyclist.

Despite his expensive habits, he was always a friendly and humble family man.

His immediate neighbour in the gated Sri Carcosa community in Negri Sembilan, Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah, said the 45-year-old pilot "was the best neighbour I ever had."

"He never failed to acknowledge neighbours whenever he went for a walk or if he passed their homes.

"Both he and his wife were among the more friendly people I have met in my life," he said.

Choo was the co-pilot of Flight MH17.

Mohd Ridzuan said the couple, who moved to Sri Carcosa before he did seven years ago, have two sons, aged 10 and 13.

Another neighbour said Choo regularly took his boys to the Sri Carcosa clubhouse for a swim or cycling whenever he was not working.

He described Choo as a quiet man but one who readily acknowledged neighbours.

"He was a very nice man and I am certain the Sri Carcosa community will miss him a lot," he said.

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