Parents of Declan Phillips, 14, fatally struck by car in Brisbane break silence after tragic incident involving teen driver
Wynnum State High School student Declan Phillips was walking to school on Wednesday when he was hit by Pajero, with emergency services rushing to the scene about 8.20am.
Declan sadly died at the scene of the crash on Berrima St in Wynnum, which was about one kilometre away from the school.
The 17-year-old driver, was uninjured in the incident along with a 41-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy who were passengers.
The Courier Mail reports the 14-year-old's parents, Lily and and Daniel Phillips, have since released a statement expressing their gratitude to the first responders who attended the crash and sympathising with the teen driver and their family.
'The pain we are feeling is unbearable but we don't know how much worse it would be without the support we have had,' their statement on Friday read.
'We're thankful for all of our family and friends who have surrounded us in love at this time."
The parents shared what their son loved to do outside of school and the communities he had been a part of, including playing soccer and his involvement in Scouts.
'We have seen all the beautiful flowers at the roundabout where Declan passed. We would like to have a permanent memorial for Declan placed at the tree at some time,' they said.
'We feel for the driver and his family, he is only a little older than Declan. Declan was looking forward to learning to drive too. What happened to you both could have happened to anyone.'
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Declan's family with burial and funeral costs, and the fundraiser has already raised over $66,000.
A family friend said they are also hoping to use any surplus funds to create a public plaque in memory of the 14-year-old.
'Declan had such a promising, bright future,' the family friend wrote on the GoFundMe page.
'He had already started saving towards his first car. He was proud of his achievements and his friends and family were proud of him."
In a letter to parents seen by The Courier Mail, Wynnum State High School Principal Sandra Quinn shared the news ''with a heavy heart'' of the tragic passing of a student.
'As a tight-knit school community, we share our shock and sadness at the enormity of this situation,' the principal said.
Police are investigating Wednesday's incident.
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