Tributes flow for former Gippsland teenager killed in Queensland crash

Australia Broadcast Center

5 days ago

When her teenage son left for a friend's party two weeks ago, Teagan Crisdale did not know it would be the last time she would see her only child.
The next morning, the police arrived at the Queensland mother's property. It was the beginning of a parent's worst nightmare.
Ms Crisdale said her mother ran out of the home, pleading with officers for the news not to be true, but then harrowing words followed.
"They said, 'Unfortunately, your son has passed away,' and everything was kind of a blur," Ms Crisdale said.
A Queensland Police spokesperson said the 18-year-old died after being hit by a Toyota Hilux that was travelling on Wondai Proston Road in Hivesville about 6am on Saturday, July 19.
Forensic Crash Unit investigations into the circumstances of the collision are underway and no charges have been laid.
Ms Crisdale and her son used to live in the Latrobe Valley, where Kyan attended Traralgon College before they shifted to the South Burnett region of Queensland.
Ms Crisdale said her son would do anything for anybody.
"But most of all, the love that we shared and the bond that we had was the most incredible thing that I've ever had in my entire life," she said.
Days after Kyan's death, his cousin Ethan Martin organised a farewell at the Tyers Lookout in Victoria's Gippsland region, where friends gathered, brought balloons and signed a wooden post with their tributes to remember the teen.
Mr Martin said he posted the invite on his Snapchat story and was extremely grateful for the support he received.
"People screenshotted it, put it on their own social media, and it ended up being a 200-person plus turnout, all just from one photo with a couple of words on there," the 19-year-old said.
"I think it was one of the most beautiful things I've personally ever witnessed, to see all the balloons go up at the same time and to have everyone taking a video showing what they were there for.
Ms Crisdale said the day before the tragedy, Kyan was working at Swickers Kingaroy Bacon Factory and sent her a message that he was going to a party in Hivesville.
"So he came home and the first thing he would do whenever he got home from work was come in, sit with me," she said.
"[He would say], 'Missed you today, Mum. Love you. How was your day?'"
On that fateful day, two weeks ago, when Kyan was ready to leave, Ms Crisdale said he told her, "Love you, Mum. I'll see you in the morning". She said she told him to have a fantastic time.
After a few text message exchanges, Kyan's last words to his mother were 'love you, too'.
Ms Crisdale has urged motorists to stay safe and vigilant on the roads.
"If you're tired, don't drive because this is something so unimaginable that no parent should ever have to go through," Ms Crisdale said.
She said her son, who was planning to start a boilermaker apprenticeship, had a bright life ahead of him, which had been taken away.
"He hasn't even had his first love," Ms Crisdale said.
"He wasn't even a big drinker. He preferred to be at home with me and our three dogs. He was very much a homebody like myself."
Nine other people also died on Queensland's roads that same weekend, which took the state road toll to 158.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help cover Kyan's funeral expenses, memorial arrangements and support for his family, including any legal or counselling services.