PICTURED: Little boy, 3, killed after his father lost control of their ute in a huge storm and crashed into a boulder
- Three-year-old boy killed in a tragic accident on Sunday afternoon remembered
- Archie Byrnes was in back seat of a ute, which veered off the road during a storm
- Archie’s dad Luke, 24, survived the crash and has been released from hospital
- The rugby league community in Tamworth has rallied around Mr Byrnes
- Australian deputy prime minister has urged drivers to take care on the roads
A close-knit community in rural New South Wales has rallied around the heartbroken parents of a little boy killed in a tragic accident.
Archie Byrnes, 3, was in the back seat of his dad Luke Byrne’s ute when Mr Byrnes lost control on the New England Highway in Moonbi near Tamworth in north-eastern NSW on Sunday afternoon.
Mr Byrnes, 24, was driving through a storm when his ute veered off the road and crashed into trees and into a boulder.
Archie Byrnes (middle) died after his father Luke lost control of his ute during a storm near Tamworth. This photo was posted by Archie’s mother Sammy McAlpine on Monday
Archie died at the scene, despite desperate efforts by emergency services.
He and his dad were on their way home from visiting friends 236 kilometres away in Dorrigo when the tragedy happened, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Archie’s grieving mother Sammy McAlpine expressed no words when she posted a photo of Archie with her and his dad on Facebook on Monday.
‘Love you guys, my heart is aching for you both,’ one friend commented.
Another added: ‘This is shattering.’
Mr Byrnes was airlifted to Tamworth Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released from hospital.
The tight-knit rugby league community in Tamworth has rallied around Mr Byrnes, who plays reserve grade for North Tamworth Bears in the Group 4 competition.
Archie Byrnes (pictured) was described by his aunt as always happy and life of the family
Young Archie was a regular spectator at Bears’ games to watch his dad play.
‘They’re such a kid-orientated family, which will make this so hard,’ North Tamworth Bears president Jodie Cooper told The Daily Telegraph.
‘Everyone is pretty worried about (Mr Byrnes).’
Mr Byrnes’ aunt Rose Wadwell added: ‘Luke was the best dad and very proud of his son. We are very gutted — we can’t understand it.’
Luke Byrnes loved spending time with his young son Archie, 3, (pictured together)
Mr Byrnes’ sister, Sara described her nephew as the life of the family and always happy.
Crash Investigation Unit officers are continuing their investigations.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Meanwhile, Australian deputy prime minister Michael McCormack pleaded with drivers to take care during the festive season when he launched a confronting Australian Road Safety Foundation’s Christmas road safety campaign on Monday.
The campaign features 91 stockings for each of people were killed on the nation’s roads during the last Christmas/New Year period.
Luke Byrnes, 24, was driving through a storm when his ute veered off the road near Tamworth
‘This Christmas, we want Australians to take your time on the road, drive to the conditions and make sure you get to and from holidays safely,’ Mr McCormack tweeted.
‘One road death is one too many. It is so important we all remember to take our time, share the driving and drive safely to make sure we get to and from our Christmas holiday safely over the next few weeks.’
More than 1180 people have lost their lives already on the nation’s roads this year.
‘So there will be 1,180 places at Christmas lunches not filled this year. How sad is that,’ Mr McCormack Channel Nine’s The Today Show.
‘Obey the speed limits. Slow down where there’s roadworks. Make sure that you don’t use your mobile phone. And just plan ahead. Make sure that you stay calm, stay patient, and get home sooner and safer.’
The father and son were on their way home from visiting friends when tragedy struck