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Image of Tristan haunts Rainbow Beach driver

Grandfather and father of seven who was driving the car that fateful morning says he hasn't slept since and can not bear to look at the dints in his car

Tristan Sik loves adventure such as riding motorbikes. Picture: Contributed
Tristan Sik loves adventure such as riding motorbikes. Picture: Contributed

THE distraught driver of the car that hit 13-year-old Tristan Sik at Rainbow Beach last weekend has spoken about his sleepless nights and the memories and images that haunt him.

Tristan is now in a stable condition in Lady Cilento Children's Hospital after the push bike he was riding hit the car near the corner of Carlo and Karoonda Rds last Saturday morning.

The impact destroyed the bike and left the young teen with a broken collarbone, pelvis and lower left leg, fractures to the skull and right eye and bleeding and pressure on the brain. He was airlifted to Brisbane and placed in an induced coma.

Tristan Sik- described as a ' beautiful, caring and adventurous boy.'. Picture: Contributed
Tristan Sik- described as a ' beautiful, caring and adventurous boy.'. Picture: Contributed

The grandfather and father of seven driving the car that fateful morning says he hasn't slept since and can not bear to look at the dints in his vehicle.

"It was the most devastating thing I have ever been through in my life," he said. "I've been to see a doctor. I have not slept."

The Gympie region businessman, who asked to not be named, said he had been following another car into town last Saturday when the youngster appeared out of nowhere.

"I could not do anything about it. He just appeared in the middle of the road. I did not even have time to brake.

"His bike just disintegrated. I look at the dints on it now and I see his face. I see his face in my windscreen."

The man said a major concern for him in the wake of the accident was the importance of all children knowing the road rules and being taught road safety when riding their bikes.

He also wanted to acknowledge the 20-30 people who converged on the scene and did everything they could to help last Saturday.

"There must have been about 30 people there trying to help and trying to stop the traffic," he said.

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/gympie/image-of-tristan-haunts-rainbow-beach-driver/news-story/11bde4f92230250be684bbf9424c2ce6