GoFundMe launched for 16-year-old Second Valley crash victim Benjy Weenink as family pays tribute to their ‘beautiful baby boy’

Benjy Weenink’s family have shared special memories from sky diving to getting his nose pierced - saying the cheeky teen packed so much into his short life before horror crash.

The family of a teenage boy killed in a horror crash at Second Valley have launched a fundraiser to bring his grandparents to Australia to say their final farewell to their “bubbly and friendly” grandson.

Urrbrae Agricultural High School Year 10 student Benjy Weenink, 16, died when the driver of a ute in which he was a passenger lost control on Main South Rd on Sunday afternoon.

Family friends are appealing to help bring Benjy’s grandparents and uncle, who live in the UK, home for the teenager’s funeral as well as to support the family during this terrible time.

In a statement on Monday the family said they were “heartbroken and the pain immeasurable”.

“We are so grateful that we all had such an incredible relationship with him,” the statement from father Jeremy Weenink, mother Anna Weenink, stepmother Liv Watson, older brothers Jasper and Henry and little sister Edie.

Family photo of Jasper, Anna, Benjy, Henry, Edie and Jeremy Weenink. Picture: Supplied by family

Edie and Benjy. Picture: Supplied

Benjy and dad Jeremy. Picture: Supplied

“Our hearts are with all of Benjy’s friends who were with him when he died and all of those who loved him so much.”

The family said that Benjy’s school mates in Year 10 and 11 were “the best bunch of boys” from Urrbrae who have been so “beautiful” rallying around each other.

“As a family we hold so closely in our hearts all of Benjy’s friends as they will forever be a memory of him,” the family told The Advertiser.

Benjy giving mum a kiss on the cheek at the beach. Picture: Supplied

16-year-old Benjy Weenink (Right) with close friend Xavier. Picture: Instagram

“And especially of the other friends in the car with him when he died, we are just thinking of them and their families so much.

“And we just want everyone to know we hold no blame or anger towards the driver and don’t want people thinking this was reckless teenagers but rather a horrible tragic accident that could have happened to anyone.

“Benjy is such a special human, he brought fun, light and joy everywhere he went.

“He was warm, open-hearted, adventurous, clever, brave, funny, beautiful, kind and loved by so many.”

Ms Watson said her stepson had “managed to fit more fun and adventures into his short life than most people do in a long lifetime”.

Benjy and stepmum Liv Watson. Picture: Supplied

Edie, Benjy, Henry and Jasper. Picture: Supplied

“He just went skydiving with Anna in September and absolutely bloody loved it,” she said.

It was a 16th birthday present from Jeremy, Anna and Liv.

“We got our noses pierced together last year – he was just such a fun kid,” Ms Watson added.

She said he had hoped to become a counsellor or work in mental health.

“He always wanted to help others.”

Anna and Jeremy are both healthcare workers – Mr Weenink is a mental health nurse at the Women’s & Children’s Hospital, while Anna is a midwife at the Flinders Medical Centre in the neonatal ward.

Anna and Jeremy migrated from the UK in 2007 when Anna was pregnant with Benjy, who was then born in Australia.

“The devastating and sudden loss of beautiful, irreplaceable, magnetic Benjy Weenink has had ripple effects in various communities in Adelaide, to the UK, where Benjy’s grandparents live,” Go Fund Me Organiser Nicole Dunkley said.

“The family can’t imagine saying farewell to Benjy without Jeremy’s family, who were all exceptionally special to Benjy, and vice versa.

“During this overwhelming time of grief, we know there are so many who are lost for words and would love to do something practical to support this beautiful, heartbroken family.”

Benjy Weenink, with his mother Anna, who remembered her “special human” who brought “light, fun and joy” to life. Picture: Facebook

The GoFundMe has raised more than $8500 in less than 14 hours.

Urrbrae Agricultural High School Principal Joslyn Fox said their “tight-knit school community is greatly saddened by the death”.

“He was a beautiful boy who was widely loved across our school community and will be missed by all those whose lives he touched,” she said.

“Our sincere thoughts and condolences go out to his family and all those involved in this terrible crash.

“We have been in contact with the families and expressed our support during this difficult time.”

Anna shared a touching tribute on Facebook on Monday and spoke of the family’s heartbreak over Benjy’s tragic death, while remembering her son’s “gorgeous nature and sparkling smile”.

“He had the most natural ability to put anyone at ease with his gorgeous nature and sparkling smile and he was liked by everyone he met.

“Benjy was good at everything he tried – surfing, skating, guitar, soccer, tennis, basketball, juggling, bouldering, you name it he could do it.

“We are so proud he is our son, stepson, brother, grandson, nephew and friend, and he is so deeply loved.”

She said the family was “heartbroken” as they attempted to “make sense of the tragedy.”

Friends paid tribute to Benjy in a series of social media posts. Picture: Instagram

“We absolutely do not blame the driver in this terrible accident,” Ms Weenink wrote.

“We thank God for the wonderful 16 years we had with our beautiful Benjy.”

Ms Weenink ended the tribute by thanking those who have supported the family with “lots of flowers” and keeping their fridge “very full”.

Benjy died at the scene of the crash while the driver, a 17-year-old Dover Gardens boy, and three other passengers, a 16-year-old Maslin Beach boy, a 15-year-old St Morris girl, and a 15-year-old Crafers girl were injured.

Benjy was the 106th person to lose their life on SA roads compared to 66 at the same time last year.

If you’d like to donate to the Weenink family, you can here.