EXCLUSIVE:
New details have emerged about a couple tragically killed in a motorcycle crash minutes from home, as their grieving family rallies around their young orphaned son.
Lynette Reader, 35, and Paul Pearce, 39, were on a motorcycle which collided with a Toyota Aurion as they rode over a crest in the Perth suburb of Tapping on Sunday night.
Mr Pearce died at the scene while his partner died en route to hospital.
Relatives told Daily Mail Australia the couple weren’t far from reaching home when tragedy struck.
Their six-year-old son Jaxxon is now being cared for Ms Reader’s dad Allen and stepmother Joe-Anne who described the late couple as dedicated parents.
Lynette and Paul were childhood sweethearts who began dating when they were 13 and were on-and-off through their teens before realising they were meant to be and moved to Perth together more than a decade ago.
Shattered loved ones have vowed to ensure Jaxxon receives all the love and support he needs as they plan his parents’ funerals and shared photos of the happy family.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised.
Jaxxon (left) will be raised by his grandparents after his parents Lynette and Paul died in a crash on Sunday night
Paul Pearce, 39, and his partner Lynette Reader died minutes from reaching home
‘We’re all devastated to lose both of them,’ Alana Gould told Daily Mail Australia.
‘We got the call around 2.30am that there had been accident and that Lynette and Paul had passed away. We just so shocked that we couldn’t get back to sleep.’
She paid tribute to her fiancé Will’s aunt and uncle who she first met while living in Perth last year.
‘Lynette was the nicest person ever, very loving and giving,’ she said.
‘I was going through a divorce at the time and she was so supportive, always willing to listen. She was a nice person to hang out with.’
‘Paul was very cheeky who worked hard to support his family and loved his bike.’
She added ‘Netty’ and Mr Pearce doted on Jaxxon who now will grow up without his parents.
‘They adored him, he was so spoilt by them,’ Ms Gould said.
‘Jaxxon has his good and bad days.
‘He understands that his parents are no longer here. There are times where he bursts into tears and cries his heart out.’
‘His nan and pop are determined to bring him up give all the love he deserves.
‘He has his friends and school in Perth, where Nan and Pop are absolutely determined to do their best to look after him.’
Ms Gould and her fiancé have also vowed to help Jaxxon and his grandparents as much as they can, despite now living in Queensland.
Shattered family members have rallied around Jaxxon (pictured with his mum last Christmas)
Lynette Reader, 35, and Paul Pearce, 39 (pictured) were childhood sweethearts
Ms Reader’s dad Allen and stepmum Joe-Anne also broke their silence to pay tribute.
‘Lynette was a wonderful dedicated mum who cherished her son, she lit up a room with her beautiful smile & loved Paul to the moon and back,’ they told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Gone way too soon. Paul was a dedicated dad that loved his little boy doing the best he could for his family, He loved Lynette so much it hurt. Gone too soon but doing something they both loved. ‘
Ms Gould has set up an fundraiser to support the couple’s families which has already raised more than $2,000.
‘They have left behind their little boy Jaxxon who they loved dearly. Nan & Pop have taken Jaxxon under their wing & will care for him until he is old enough,’ the page states.
‘With now not just one funeral but two to organise we would love to take the pressure off Lynette & Paul’s family with any financial needs that arise during this difficult time.’
‘Lynette & Paul’s family & friends are shocked & deeply saddened by this double loss, There are no words to describe the feelings we are experiencing as we wake up to a world without Lynette’s beautiful smile & Paul’s cheeky grin.’
The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of grief from loved ones.
‘A young, loving couple that cherished their son dearly … I have no other words than ‘taken too soon’,’ Ms Reader’s mother Kaylene told Nine News in a statement.
Lynette’s dad and stepmum described her and her partner Paul (pictured with Jaxxon) as dedicated parents who cherisjed their little boy
Paul will be best remembered for his cheeky grim while Lynette was described as the ‘nicest person ever’
Jaxxon’s grandparents Allen and Joe-Anne (pictured with the youngster) have taken the six-year-old under their wing and will raise him
Ms Reader’s brother Todd took to Facebook to pen his grief.
‘The pain I feel is hard to put into words,’ he wrote.
‘Wish you stayed in Tasmania, wish this was just a bad dream. You leave behind your beautiful son, I promise to be there for him. This is one pain I never wanted to feel, you were meant to grow old and cranky with me.
‘A sister is someone who loves you from the heart, no matter how much you argue you cannot be drawn apart. She was a joy that was taken away.’
A separate unrelated fundraiser has been set up for Ms Reader’s mother who hopes her daughter’s body can be returned to Tasmania.
‘It’s been a very shocking event and we are still (shocked). There are no words to describe the heartache she is facing. Any amount will help if there is anything left over it will go to the costs of her funeral,’ the page states.
Paul (left) and Lynette (right) were on their way home when tragedy struck
The couple had lived in Perth for the last 13-14 years
Investigations into the crash continue, including whether speed was a factor.
The Toyota Aurion driver, 43, suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital.
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch issued a harrowing plea in the wake of the tragedy.
At least 110 lives have been lost on WA roads so far in 2023.
‘It’s another very strong and sad reminder that motorcycling is a dangerous way to move about, and you’ve got to be very careful about the way you execute your driving on a motorcycle,’ Commissioner Blanch said.
Anyone with information about the crash or has dashcam is urged to call CrimeStoppers.
Lynette’s beautiful smile lit up every room, according to shattered loved ones
Police are investigating whether speed was a ‘factor’ in the crash in Perth’s north
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk