‘Bright future’: Loved ones pay tribute to teen killed in crash

A 14-year-old student is being remembered as talented, kind and hardworking after he was killed after being hit by a car while walking to school.

A Brisbane community is grieving the heartbreaking loss of 14-year-old Declan Phillips, who was fatally struck by a car while walking to school.

The crash occurred on Berrima St, Wynnum, about 1.5km from Wynnum State High School, just after 8.20am on Wednesday.

The 17-year-old driver of the a Mitsubishi Pajero, along with two passengers - a 41-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy - were not physically injured.

Authorities are treating the incident as an accident.

Declan has been remembered by those who knew him as a talented, gentle teenager with a bright future ahead of him.

“Declan had such a promising, bright future,” a family friend wrote on a GoFundMe page set up to support his grieving family.

Declan Phillips, 14, was killed while crossing a road at Wynnum on Wednesday morning. Picture GoFundMe

Declan is being remembered as being skilled and talented with a bright future ahead of him. Picture: GoFundMe

“He was skilled and talented in a wide array of areas, from speed cubing, running and math through to woodwork and engineering.

“He loved camping, collecting model cars, Lego engineering and was working on his fitness goals – training and eating healthily and methodically.

“He had plans to be a tradie, live in the countryside and do up cars.

“He had already started saving towards his first car. He was proud of his achievements and his friends and family were proud of him.

“His chair which normally holds his school bag sits empty in the dining room. His hobbies, toys and iPad remain untouched. His room is quiet and still.”

Declan has been remembered as a “quiet achiever” by a family friend. Picture: Google

Tributes near the crash site had been growing on Thursday afternoon, with the school and wider community rocked by the loss.

Local state MP Joan Pease said the accident was “heartbreaking”.

“It’s heartbreaking for all those involved, the young person that sadly lost their life and also the driver of the other vehicle,” she said.

“A young kid just off to school, like he’s done every other morning, and a terrible incident like that happens and impacts him, his family, all of the school students, his mates at school.

“He was a very highly respected young student, a very diligent and hardworking young man.

“This has really rocked our community.”

The fundraiser to support the family with funeral costs has been met with an outpouring of community generosity.

“Declan was a quiet achiever at school and somewhat shy, but when he set his mind to do something, he went all in and excelled. His favourite subjects were HPE and woodwork,” the family friend said.

A fundraiser has been set up to help the family of Declan Phillips. Picture GoFundMe

“Most recently he made a camping stool out of canvas and wood and was looking forward to presenting it to his mum Lily for her birthday this weekend.

“He was also looking forward to making a wooden racing car in woodwork next term.

“He will be dearly missed by his friends and the whole Wynnum State High School community as well as all his friends outside the school, family and the wider Wynnum community.

“It is with a broken heart that I ask you to help the family say goodbye to their dear son, and our beloved friend, Declan.”

Originally published as ‘Bright future’: Loved ones pay tribute to teen killed in crash