Latest news with #communitygrief
News.com.au
17-07-2025
- News.com.au
‘Bright future': Loved ones pay tribute to teen killed in crash
A Brisbane community is grieving the heartbreaking loss of 14-year-old Declan Phillips, who was fatally struck by a car while walking to school. The crash occurred on Berrima St, Wynnum, about 1.5km from Wynnum State High School, just after 8.20am on Wednesday. The 17-year-old driver of the a Mitsubishi Pajero, along with two passengers, a 41-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy, were not physically injured. Authorities are treating the incident as an accident. Declan has been remembered by those who knew him as a talented, gentle teenager with a bright future ahead of him. 'Declan had such a promising, bright future,' a family friend wrote on a GoFundMe page set up to support his grieving family. 'He was skilled and talented in a wide array of areas, from speed cubing, running and math through to woodwork and engineering. 'He loved camping, collecting model cars, Lego engineering and was working on his fitness goals – training and eating healthily and methodically. 'He had plans to be a tradie, live in the countryside and do up cars. 'He had already started saving towards his first car. He was proud of his achievements and his friends and family were proud of him. 'His chair which normally holds his school bag sits empty in the dining room. His hobbies, toys and iPad remain untouched. His room is quiet and still.' Tributes near the crash site had been growing on Thursday afternoon, with the school and wider community rocked by the loss. Local state MP Joan Pease said the accident was 'heartbreaking'. 'It's heartbreaking for all those involved, the young person that sadly lost their life and also the driver of the other vehicle,' she said. 'A young kid just off to school, like he's done every other morning, and a terrible incident like that happens and impacts him, his family, all of the school students, his mates at school. 'He was a very highly respected young student, a very diligent and hardworking young man. 'This has really rocked our community.' The fundraiser to support the family with funeral costs has been met with an outpouring of community generosity. 'Declan was a quiet achiever at school and somewhat shy, but when he set his mind to do something, he went all in and excelled. His favourite subjects were HPE and woodwork,' the family friend said. 'Most recently he made a camping stool out of canvas and wood and was looking forward to presenting it to his mum Lily for her birthday this weekend. 'He was also looking forward to making a wooden racing car in woodwork next term. 'He will be dearly missed by his friends and the whole Wynnum State High School community as well as all his friends outside the school, family and the wider Wynnum community. 'It is with a broken heart that I ask you to help the family say goodbye to their dear son, and our beloved friend, Declan.'
BreakingNews.ie
03-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Community 'raw with grief' after death of child in Co Donegal collision
Carndonagh Sinn Féin councillor Albert Doherty has said the local community was 'raw with grief' at the news of the death of a child who was a passenger in a car involved in a collision with a van on the R240 at Carrowmore, Glentogher, in Carndonagh on Wednesday evening. 'This tragic accident has just confirmed the terrible news that we heard after the accident. There's been one fatality, three seriously injured and our local community once again is raw with grief and our local community just feel devastated that once again a local family have been challenged and having to face the loss of a loved one, it's terrible news here.' Advertisement Cllr Doherty told RTÉ radio's Morning Ireland that conditions for driving at the timer had been favourable, but that the road in question has been the scene of previous fatal accidents. 'Unfortunately locally here in Carndonagh at the turn of this year, we had the tragic loss of a young man. And here again now, a local family are having to face the terrible, terrible burden of losing a loved one. 'So at this stage, news is still coming out. We do hope that those who were taken to Altnagelvin, we do hope that there's a full recovery and we do offer to the family and the extended family our full support as a community. "And also I suppose I have to thank all involved in emergency response for their assistance with the family, and for the local community on this and on previous occasions.'
RNZ News
19-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Pātea school principal remembers six-year-old killed in boating accident
By Maisie Arnold-Brown Six-year-old Zane loved school and cared deeply for his friends and teachers, according to his principal at Pātea Area School, James Davidson. Photo: Supplied/Pātea Area School A six-year-old boy, who died in a boating accident in Pātea, is remembered as a "boy filled with aroha", according to his school principal. Two people died after a boat capsized off the coast of Taranaki on Sunday. Stuff has reported his stepmother also died, when the boat was swamped by a wave, and his father - the boat's skipper - was the sole survivor. Pātea Area School principal James Davidson said Zane Milham loved school. "Everyone who met Zane instantly fell in love with his cheeky grin and zest for life," Davidson said. "He cared deeply for his friends and those around him," he said. "He showed genuine affection for his teachers and support staff, always offering a cheerful wave or a friendly greeting. "His joy was truly infectious." He said Zane never missed a day of school, rain or shine, and was always eager and excited to learn. "On weekends and after school, he could often be seen riding his trike around the grounds, proudly knocking on windows to show off the skids he had been practising," Davidson said. Investigators at the scene, as the a boat that capzized off the coast of South Taranaki is retrieved. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin He said the school community had been deeply affected by his death and Zane was already missed "immensely". Staff and students had shown incredible resilience, as they rallied around one another, he said, sharing memories of Zane and honouring his life. In a statement provided to Stuff on Thursday, a family member said: "It's with great sadness of the family that we are announcing the passing of our beloved son. "Fly high our little friend, hunting and fishing forever." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
26-05-2025
- RNZ News
Neighbours mourn death of 'beautiful' toddler Catalya Remana Tangimetua-Pepene
Neighbours say Catalya Remana Tangimetua-Pepene's smile was so bright it "lit up the whole world". Photo: Supplied Neighbours of a three-year-old girl who died at her home in Northland last week say they are heartbroken by the death of a child whose smile was so bright it "lit up the whole world". The child, named by the funeral home as Catalya Remana Tangimetua-Pepene, was found unresponsive when emergency services were called to her home in Kaikohe last Wednesday. The child, known to family as Remana, died despite medics' efforts to save her. She was farewelled on Monday at Te Paea Marae, at Ngāraratunua, just north of Whangārei, and buried at nearby St James Church, around the same time as a 45-year-old man appeared in court charged with her murder. Among those who turned out for the court hearing were several of her neighbours, who were shocked and upset by her death. Arthur Harawira said he often saw her in the park where they lived on Tawanui Road. "She had a beautiful smile. And when she smiled it lit up the whole world… A beautiful individual - not just a smile from the face, it was a smile from the inside, you know. Such a beautiful girl." Tiare Te Whata, another neighbour at the same housing complex, was also devastated. "She used to come around to our home and play with my mokos every time, and her smile, it came not from the outside, it came from within… It's just so sad that this is happening to all our rangatahi, especially here in Kaikohe. I just feel heartbroken at the moment because of what's happened to such a beautiful little human being." Other neighbours spoke of her playfulness and her insistence on being picked up, and all were struck by the brightness of her smile. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf The suspect's first appearance before Judge Philip Rzepecky in the Kaikohe District Court lasted no more than five minutes. Supporters of the defendant and the victim were made to sit on opposite sides of the gallery, with three security guards in the courtroom in case tension spilled over. Judge Philip Rzepecky opened the hearing with a message for the roughly 15 members of the public present. "I realise emotions are probably running high among the people here, and there is a lot of sadness, but I appreciate the dignity you are showing at the moment." The only incidents occurred when a close relative of the accused refused at first to stand for the judge, and tried to enter the main area of the courtroom after the hearing. Both were quickly resolved by security. The 45-year-old accused man was charged with assault on a child, occurring sometime between 1 April and 30 April, and murder on 21 May. Duty lawyer Jack Dudley did not seek bail, but he did ask for interim name suppression. That was granted, but only until his next appearance in the High Court at Whangārei on 11 June. The judge said a formal application would have to be made if he wanted suppression extended beyond that date. Police prosecutor Duncan Coleman asked for, and was granted, an order preventing any contact between the accused and the child's mother, to ensure there could be no collusion. The accused remained impassive through most of the hearing, only nodding at the judge when told his name would be kept secret for now. Police investigating the three-year-old's death made the arrest on Sunday . Detective Senior Sergeant Christan Fouhy said Victim Support was supporting the whānau and local community following the tragedy. Two detectives working on the case were present for the hearing. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
CBS News
12-05-2025
- CBS News
Dallas community remembers 8-year-old killed in motorcycle crash Saturday
A motorcycle crash during a baby shower Saturday tragically killed 8-year-old Sirayjah Parson and the rider, and critically injured another child, leaving a community heartbroken. Keisha Williams will remember Sirayjah Parson as a sweet little girl who loved to dance and was a good friend. Williams coached Sirayjah's cheer team. "She was a bright, vivid little girl. They always talked, they played," said Williams. On Monday, a pink sign, a balloon, and flowers are posted as a small memorial to Parson. Sirayjah's friends want her family to know she will be missed. "Sirayjah was an amazing second grader and she was nice and she was kind. Rest in peace, Sirayjah," said Reign Williams. Dallas police said the investigation into the Oak Cliff-area crash is ongoing.
