Family mourns Gold Coast girl ‘Liv’, 8, killed on way to netball

AN eight-year-old girl and junior netballer killed in a tragic road accident earlier this week has been remembered as the ‘Queen of hugs’ by her Gold Coast family.

DEVASTATED loved ones of an eight-year-old Gold Coast girl who was killed in a car crash on the way to a netball tournament have paid tribute to her as the ‘queen of hugs’.

Junior netballer Olivia Douglas, daughter of Tegan Mitchell, lost her life when the car she was a passenger in had a head-on collision with a ute on the Bruce Highway near South Isis on Friday afternoon.

Gold Coast eight-year-old Olivia, daughter of Tegan Mitchell was heading up north to compete in a netball carnival today.

The car was travelling in convoy to the annual netball event held in Bundaberg this weekend.

A senior coach and her granddaughter also travelling in the car with Olivia were flown to the Sunshine Coast with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

The male ute driver also died in the crash.

NEVER MISS A MINUTE WITH THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN APP

Gold Coast junior netballer Olivia with family member was remembered as a vibrant child who loved singing, dancing and writing her own music.

Olivia’s mother posted online: “Yesterday we tragically lost the most amazing little girl this world had the privilege of knowing.

“She is our sweet sensitive soul who loved life, family and friends. As Livy would say, ‘Live! Laugh! Love!’”

“We love you angel and know that you are up in heaven with God.”

The car crash at Childers.

A photo of the smiling Olivia clutching a book accompanied the message.

Olivia was set to play in the netball tournament in Bundaberg today.

This morning more 1500 Queensland primary school netball players, officials and organisers stood in silence to commemorate the loss of the young Oxenford State School student.

Ms Mitchell’s partner Tim Stark later posted: “On behalf of the Mitchell, Douglas and Stark families, Tegan and I would like to thank everyone for their kind words, messages, emails, phone calls and acts of kindness that you’ve given us since the tragic accident that occurred on Friday.

More than 1500 primary school netball players, officials, organisers and parents stood on silence to commemorate the death of an 8-year-old Coomera Netball Club member who was one of two people killed in a head-on crash on the Bruce Highway near Childers on Friday.

“Our apologies for not returning phone calls, emails or messages......we as a family group are still struggling to comprehend what has just happened in this horrific nightmare.

“Olivia was and always will be remembered by anyone who met her as the sweetest young girl who left way too soon.

“Our hearts will be forever broken as you had so much to give this world as a sister, daughter, granddaughter, great granddaughter, student and best friend to so many people.

Emergency services at the scene of a double fatality at Childers yesterday.

“Liv loved anything to do with music, singing, dancing and writing her own music, and I so wish that you were here to be able to keep teaching your baby sister how to dance your way.

“Liv’s favourite song in the last couple of months was ‘Shot Gun’ by George Ezra and would usually be requested to be played at least three times in the car on our very short trip to school each day.

GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS FOR $3 A WEEK

“Keep the song on repeat for as long as you want in heaven now Liv.

“Hold your loved ones close and your children even closer everyone, as that’s what Liv would’ve wanted you to do as she was the queen of hugs.”

“Miss you our special little angel.”

In a statement from the Coomera Netball Club, the committee said it offered its “deepest condolences to the families involved, we cannot even begin to imagine what you might be going through at this very sad time”.

“We as a club need to rally round and help these families through this very rough time right now,” it stated.

“We are asking you to dig deep and make a donation direct deposited into our club bank account, all funds raised will go directly to all families involved.”

Bank details: BSB 633000, Account 160767901, Reference 3 beautiful families.

Originally published as Family mourns Gold Coast girl ‘Liv’, 8, killed on way to netball