Kiwi dies while doing a burnout in Sydney

A Kiwi mechanic who died on Wednesday when he lost control of his car and smashed into a tree has been described by his mother as caring man who was the "love of my life".

New Zealand-born Adam Sheffield, 24, died on Wednesday after his Nissan slammed into a tree in Mona Vale, North Sydney, around 7.20pm.

Police believe Sheffield, who had been working on a car with his friend Hayden Rowland, 20, in the hours before the wreck, had tried to perform a high-speed burnout when he lost control of the car, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Adam Sheffield died when he lost control of his car in Sydney's northern suburbs. Photo / Nine News

Rowland was in the passenger seat of the vehicle and had to be cut out by paramedics. He has since been released from hospital but is suffering from broken ribs.

Sheffield's mother, Averill McLean, a nurse, visited the street corner where her son died on Thursday morning and was consoled by many of his friends.

"He was such a good man. He was just a beautiful soul, he was my little boy, my only boy," she said.

Averill McLean visits the street corner where her son died. Photo / Nine News

McLean said her son, who was born in New Zealand and moved to Australia 12 years ago, loved cars and was about to finish his four-year mechanic apprentice in February.

"I think he was just racing down here. I think he lost control, it spun out and it hit the tree," she said, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The 24-year-old was entering a new chapter in his life and had just moved out of home.

Hayden Rowland, 20, was in the car when it crashed. Photo / Nine News

"He deserved another chance. Lots of people get second chances. He was the kind of kid who deserved one," McLean said.

Friends have placed flowers and cards at the scene of the accident, describing Mr Sheffield as a "great friend" with a "beautiful heart".

Friend Laurence Halkyard told Nine News he was having a hard time processing what had happened.

Friends have placed flowers and cards at the scene of the crash. Photo / Nine News

"We're all the same, just completely shocked - you don't expect this kind of stuff to happen. You hear about it but you don't think it's going to happen to you."