Jakob Lavaring taken off life support days after his 14th birthday

As 14-year-old Jakob Lavaring’s grieving family tries to come to terms with his loss, a friend has revealed how loved ones clung to hope their “baby boy” would make it, and the devastating events of his final days.

The Bundaberg community is in mourning for the 14-year-old boy who tragically died following an e-scooter crash, as a friend tells of his heart-rending last days and how the community can help his family.

Family friends of Jakob Lavaring have given a heartbreaking insight into the 14-year-old’s final days after he was critically injured in an e-scooter accident in Bundaberg.

Jess Graham, a close friend of Jakob’s mother, Michelle, said the family had to make the most difficult decision imaginable in turning off Jakob’s life support at Queensland Children’s Hospital on Tuesday, April 9.

Jakob had been flown to the hospital directly from the scene of the crash involving his e-scooter and a Suzuki Baleno at Maynard St in Walkervale, a south Bundaberg suburb, six days earlier, on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 3.

Loved ones of Jakob Lavaring, who tragically died following an e-scooter accident in Bundaberg, are mourning the loss of ‘a kid who lit up every room he entered’.

An outgoing, gregarious Bundaberg State High School student, Jess described Jakob as “a bit of a daredevil” who was often out playing games and recording TikToks with a large circle of friends that included her own son, Jason.

“He was always chasing something, he always had a goal; he had so much life in him,” Jess said.

“But he was such a caring kid, always giving his Mum a hug, always saying I love you, always.

“He was just a very family-oriented child.”

Friends said Jakob (right, with sister Sophie and parents Michelle and Jason) was 'a very family-oriented child'.

On Wednesday afternoon Jakob was out with friends enjoying the school holidays when it seems he crossed busy Maynard St while riding his e-scooter and was hit by the Suzuki.

“He was just being a kid that was very young … at that age you just don’t think of the consequences of what happens,” she said.

“He was hanging out with his friends on a school holidays, he wasn’t being an idiot he just made the wrong decision at the wrong time.

“And unfortunately he was hit by a car, which is obviously going to change the life of the driver.”

Having sustained critical brain injuries, Jakob was not conscious for the week following the crash during which his parents, Michelle and Jason, did not leave his side at the Brisbane hospital.

Clinging to a sliver of hope that he would survive his injuries, Jakob’s family celebrated his 14th birthday in hospital on Sunday, April 7, although he remained unconscious throughout.

Described as ‘a bit of a daredevil’, Jakob was often out playing games and recording TikToks with his large circle of friends.

Two days later, Michelle and Jason made the decision that no parent should be faced with, and assented to turning off his life support on Tuesday.

Jess said Michelle and Jason had not slept since that day, and were now consumed by “unimaginable grief” at the loss of their baby boy.

“It’s life changing, that’s their baby,” she said.

“It’s just horrific. They will be feeling the most amount of pain that anybody could possibly feel.”

Michelle gained some small comfort through knowing that organs donated by Jakob would save another family from going through a similarly traumatic experience.

“We decided as a family that he would be a guardian angel, and he has given the gift of life to other families so they don’t feel the heartbreak we are dealing with at this time,” Michelle said in a message sent to family and friends.

“She was really comforted to know that another family will not be suffering the same loss they’re going through,” Jess said.

Jess said her heart went out to Jakob’s school friends who would be returning to school on Monday without their friend.

Her own son, Jason, born a day after Jakob, was still in shock at the loss of his lifelong friend.

Friends said Jakob 'touched the lives of so many with his cheeky smile'.

“These things, you just think that they will never happen to you,” Jess said.

“We all take risks; every second of the day we take some sort of risk, and you just never think of the consequences.

“It’s a big wake up call.”

With Michelle and Jason heavily involved in the Bundaberg community, Jess said they had already been “inundated with messages” offering condolences and support.

Plans for a send-off for Jakob are in their earliest stages, with a public invitation to be forthcoming so that Jakob’s school friends can farewell their close companion.

In the meantime, with Michelle and Jason unable to work while they process their unimaginable grief and make the necessary arrangements, Jess has arranged a GoFundMe fundraiser and is appealing for donations to support the family.

In a message included in the fundraiser page, Jess said Jakob’s family “are juggling not only the financial costs but also the need to take time off work to grieve the most unimaginable loss”.

“Your support will ensure that Jakob receives the beautiful send-off he deserves,” the message reads.

“The world lost a shining star, a kid who lit up every room he entered.”

As news of Jakob’s tragic loss spreads through the community, tributes and messages of condolences have flowed on social media.

“Our children aren’t supposed to ever leave this earth before us,” said Suzanne Sangricoli in a Facebook post.

“My heart and strength is with you.”

“Sending you all so much love, I’m so sorry,” said Renee McGilvery.

“No one should ever have to endure this.”

Donations to Jakob’s fundraiser can be made here.

NewsMail offers our condolences to Jakob’s loved ones at this most difficult time.

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