Mannum man Luke Hynes remembered for his kindness and selflessness after tragic Caurnamont crash

A Mannum man who died in a horrific car crash this week has been remembered as a friendly bloke who always had his beloved dog Jack by his side.

A Mannum man who died in a horrific car crash on a Murray Mallee country road has been remembered as a friendly bloke who would do ”absolutely anything for anybody”.

Luke Hynes, 49, died at the scene of a car crash on Purnong Rd, Caurnamont, on Monday night.

His beloved dog Jack – who friends say did not leave his side – also died in the crash.

Mr Hynes boss and close friend Brad Wakefield said Mr Hynes would be sorely missed in the Mannum community.

Luke Hynes, Mannum. Picture: Facebook

Luke Hynes’ faithful dog Jack died at the scene alongside his master. Picture: Facebook

Luke Hynes. Picture: Facebook

He said he was with Mr Hynes on Monday morning before the incident and later that day Mr Hynes told him he was going to visit his girlfriend that night.

But, as Mr Wakefield prepared to start work for the new year after the Christmas break on Tuesday, he wasn’t aware Mr Hynes never made it back.

He said his work crew was wondering where the usually-reliable worker was before a phone call delivered the shocking news.

Mr Wakefield said Mr Hynes had worked for his bricklaying business for the past six years but he had known his employee for years earlier as he was a bricklayer at the business he started his apprenticeship as a 16-year-old.

He said once he went out and launched his own business, he recruited Mr Hynes to work for him because he was a proven hard worker with a great work ethic.

And, in the past six years, the duo became close with Mr Wakefield saying Mr Hynes was a “bloke who would do anything for anyone” and would often “drop everything to go out of his way for others”.

Brad Wakefield paid tribute to his close friend and employee Luke Hynes. Picture: Facebook.

Luke's dog Jack, which was also was killed in the crash, seen at a worksite. Picture: Facebook.

Mr Wakefield said while the shock of the news was settling in, attention quickly turned to Mr Hynes’ beloved dog Jack.

However, as was the case most of the time, the dog was with Mr Hynes and died too.

“He loved that dog so much, it was like a child to him … I think he was like 16 (years old) but he took him everywhere.”

Mr Wakefield said Mr Hynes’ love of a cold beer would lead to banter about him one day having a heart attack

“Luke) would say ‘If I do and you don’t stop work and go to the pub for a West End, I’m going to haunt you forever’,” Mr Wakefield said.

So, it was tools down on Tuesday and off to the Pretoria Hotel for a toast to Mr Wakefield’s “right hand man”.

Mr Hynes’ death was the first on South Australian roads in 2025 and Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the first fatality of 2025 was a “stark reminder” of the importance of safety.

“Every time you step out on to the road, whether it be a vehicle, motorcycle or as a pedestrian on a bike, you have to think about your own wellbeing and safety and the safety of the people around you,” Mr Stevens said.

“Lapses in concentration, complacency, can have devastating consequences.”