17-year-old Kyle Sydenham, killed in motorbike and car crash, remembered by his mother as ‘clever’ and ‘loving’

The 17-year-old motorcyclist killed in a crash in the Murraylands has been remembered as a “clever boy” with “lots of love to give” by loved ones.

Kyle Sydenham, 17, was on the way to visit his girlfriend when he collided with a car and was killed at an intersection near Pompoota, south of Mannum, on Sunday night.

His heartbroken mother, Diane Sydenham, spoke to the media when she visited the scene on Monday.

“Kyle was very smart boy with a lot of love to give,” she said.

Ms Sydenham also said he was a “very clever boy who loved fixing motors and working on motorbikes”.

Kyle was killed when he collided with a car at the intersection of Burdett Rd and Survey Rd in Pompoota, south of Mannum, at about 8.30pm.

Kyle Sydenham and his mother Diane. Picture: Nine News / Supplied by family

The driver of the car, a 17-year-old Murray Bridge boy, was not injured, but he was taken to hospital as a precaution. He was reported for aggravated driving without due care, and will appear in court at a later date.

Kyle’s girlfriend, Sophie Burbridge, said in a statement that she will “miss him more than I could ever explain”.

“He was so smart, strong and happy, he brought so much joy into many lives, especially mine,” she told 9 News.

Kyle’s sister, Sheridan, said she will remember her brother for his smile.

“He’s always the goofy one in the group. I always used to say to him he could be a comedian with all his jokes,” she said.

“He’s quite an intelligent boy.”

“He will be missed a lot. Everyone around this area knew Kyle.

“It doesn’t really sink in.”

Superintendent Bob Gray, Officer in Charge of the Traffic Services Branch, said to lose a young life on the road was “catastrophic”.

“They’re resulting from collisions that are totally avoidable, and the consequences for the families involved is catastrophic,” he said.

“My heart goes out to everybody involved in the recent fatalities on our roads, but clearly it is catastrophic for families, for work colleagues and for communities.”

His death was one of three fatalities over a horror weekend on South Australian roads.

The state’s road toll is now 48, compared with 44 at the same time last year.

Kyle was the 10th motorcyclist to be killed on SA roads this year.