'Much loved': Wynnum State High School in mourning after Year 9 student dies following 4WD accident with another teenager
Emergency services rushed to the scene on Tingal Rd and Berrima St – about 1km away from Wynnum State High School, where a 14-year-old boy was hit by a Mitsubishi Pajero about 8.20am.
Queensland Police launched an investigation after the teenager was killed in the incident.
A 17-year-old boy was driving the vehicle at the time with a 41-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy inside- who were both uninjured.
The Courier Mail reported the 4WD was seen with L plates inside the window, with the vehicle wedged underneath the rail bridge on Berrima Street.
In a letter to parents seen by The Courier Mail, Principal Sandra Quinn shared the news ''with a heavy heart'' of the tragic passing of one of the school's male students.
'The student was a much-loved year nine male student and valued member of our Wynnum State High School community,' she said.
'I know that you will join me in offering our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.
'As a tight-knit school community, we share our shock and sadness at the enormity of this situation.'
She further added support and guidance will be available at the school to ensure 'everybody is cared for in the wake of this tragic event.'
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Sky News AU
18-07-2025
- Sky News AU
Parents of Declan Phillips, 14, fatally struck by car in Brisbane break silence after tragic incident involving teen driver
The parents of a 14-year-old boy who died after being struck by a car in Queensland have spoken publicly following the tragic incident, sharing their 'unbearable' pain. 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.
7NEWS
18-07-2025
- 7NEWS
Brisbane community mourns 14-year-old Declan Phillips after deadly Wynnum crash
The family of a 14-year-old boy who was killed while walking to school in Brisbane's bayside this week say they are 'shattered beyond words' as tributes continue to pour in for the 'quiet, kind-hearted' teen. Declan Philips, a Year 9 student at Wynnum State High School, was fatally struck by a car just one kilometre from the school. Emergency services rushed to the roundabout intersection of Tingal Rd and Berrima St in Wynnum at about 8.20am on July 16 after reports a Mitsubishi Pajero with learner plates had struck a pedestrian. He was treated for critical injuries by paramedics, but died at the scene. The 17-year-old boy behind the wheel of the car and his two passengers, a 41-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy, were not physically injured in the incident. Declan took the same four-kilometre route to and from school each day. 'He was cautious and sensible,' family friend Lisa Axam said. Axam set up a fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses. 'He always followed road rules whether walking, cycling, or running.' Axam said Declan had big plans. 'He had such a promising, bright future. Declan was skilled and talented in a wide array of areas — from speed cubing, running and maths through to woodwork and engineering. 'He wanted to become a tradie, live in the countryside and do up cars. 'He'd already started saving for his first car.' A recent project he was especially proud of was a camping stool made in woodwork class embroidered with a blue car in honour of his mum's favourite colour. It was meant to be a birthday gift. Now, it sits quietly on the family sofa, where Declan used to rest after school. 'His hobbies, toys, and iPad remain untouched,' Axam said. 'His room is still. All that can be heard in the family home are quiet voices and deep sobbing.' Declan's parents, Lily and Daniel, and his younger brother Ryan, are surrounded by a community's support, but the grief remains overwhelming. 'He was so proud of his achievements, and his family and friends were proud of him,' Axam said. 'Rocked our little community' Locals have shared their heartbreak and solidarity, describing the tragedy as one that has shaken the entire bayside suburb. 'The flowers are building up on the median strip and under the tree. It has rocked our little community,' local resident Christine Thomson wrote on social media. Another community member wrote, 'So many families and friends [are] broken right now. Hug your own a little closer tonight.' Jeanette Jensen added, 'So many affected by this. Special hugs and prayers to his immediate family especially.' Another commenter, Emma Parkinson, shared, 'We laid sunflowers for him today. We are so sorry for your loss. We all show love.' At Wynnum State High, Declan was remembered as a quiet but determined student. His favourite subjects were HPE and woodwork. Teachers said he gave everything his full focus and never sought praise, even when his work stood out. The Wynnum State School Parents & Citizens' Association shared a heartfelt statement. 'Declan and his family have long been part of our school community, and our hearts are with them during this unimaginable time.' They described the incident as 'a heartbreaking loss' that had 'deeply impacted our entire community'. Declan was known for his many talents and passions. He was 'passionate about camping, collecting model cars, and committed to his fitness goals'. Tributes have also poured in from the local football community, including Wynnum Wolves FC, where Declan played and his younger brother Ryan still plays. Club President Rabieh Krayem urged members to support the Phillips family, saying the Wolves are known for coming together in times of tragedy. This weekend, games at Carmichael Park will honour Declan with black armbands, moments of silence, and donation points. In an emotional update on the fundraiser, Axam said Declan's mother, Lily, was touched by the support but heartbroken. 'She said she just wished that Declan could have known so many people care for him — that he has so many friends out there,' she wrote. 'Accident waiting to happen' The family is now hoping to channel their grief into change. They plan to call for urgent upgrades to the intersection where the crash occurred, describing it as unsafe for pedestrians. 'Let Declan's life not be lost in vain. This would be the best gift we could give Declan and his family,' Axam wrote in the name of the family. She said it was 'it was an accident waiting to happen.' 'I know it sounds awful, but I just wonder if it was an accident waiting to happen and it will likely happen again,' Axem told Push for better signage She said what happened on Wednesday was not just tragic, it was preventable. 'Many 4WDs and other high vehicles get caught under that bridge regularly. 'There is such a short distance between the roundabout and the rail overpass, so I've seen in the past many drivers do dangerous, last-minute manoeuvres or U-turns to avoid it.' She is pushing for better signage or new road rules — like banning high vehicles from turning near the roundabout — to help save lives. 'It would be great to see the media push the government to look at increasing safety and signage, perhaps something as simple as 'no turn for vehicles higher than 1.9m' before the roundabout.' She said it was difficult to understand how this could happen to Declan. 'It's hard to believe it happened to Declan ... he always followed rules and stayed safe. 'He was on the pedestrian refuge! He was seeking refuge as a pedestrian and still got hit. 'It should not have happened. And I fear it won't be the last time if the government doesn't make changes.' Family shows compassion for L-plater There has also been an outpouring of compassion for the 17-year-old learner driver involved. Community members expressed sympathy for the teen and his family, acknowledging he too will carry the trauma. 'A very sad situation,' one comment read. 'His life has also changed forever.' Another one read: 'I also hope the young learner driver is doing ok too along with his mum and sister who have witnessed this horrific accident. Bloody heartbreaking.' Declan's family also expressed their sympathy for the young driver involved. '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.' More than $50,000 has already been raised to help cover funeral costs. The family is also inviting letters, stories, or memories of Declan from friends, classmates, teachers, or anyone moved by his story. 'This is a family who have given so much to the community,' Axam said. 'Now it's our turn to wrap them in love.'
Sydney Morning Herald
18-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Tributes flow for Wynnum student Declan Phillips, killed on his walk to school
Tributes have flowed for a 14-year-old boy who was killed as he walked to school at Wynnum this week. Declan Phillips died on Wednesday after he was hit by a Mitsubishi Pajero near the notoriously low Wynnum Rail Bridge, known colloquially as the 'Duck Bridge'. With a clearance of just 1.9 metres, it is the lowest bridge in Brisbane. Declan was a student at nearby Wynnum State High School and played for the Wynnum Wolves Football Club. Family friend Lisa Axam, who has started a GoFundMe page for funeral costs, said Declan died on a walk to school that he did every day. She remembered him as a talented mathematician and woodworker, who loved camping, collecting model cars, Lego engineering and fitness. 'Declan had such a promising, bright future,' she said. '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.
