Cody Bergemann, 19, killed in single vehicle rollover at Glenwood
The grieving mother of a 19-year-old, killed in a crash in the Wide Bay, has shared her heartbreak and issued a plea to young drivers. DISTRESSING CONTENT
Gympie
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gympie. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The grieving mother of a 19-year-old driver, killed in a crash at Glenwood on Wednesday night, has shared her heartbreak in an online video.
Katherine Bergemann Cook is living the nightmare no parent should face after her son Cody Bergemann, a popular 4WD enthusiast and former student at Gympie’s James Nash State High School, died after in a rollover on Neerdie Rd t 11.50pm.
In the harrowing four-minute clip, posted on Facebook, the shaking mum says “24 hours ago, I got the worst news of my life and I saw the worst thing I will remember for the rest of my life.
“There is one thing I want and I can never get: I want my baby boy back.
“I’m not going to get that one hug again, I’m not going to get that one kiss, I’m not going to be able to jump in his bed and … have a chat about his weekend was or what he was doing.”
She said Cody’s friends and family were still grappling with the news.
His sister had spent Thursday night in Cody’s empty bed.
“If you ask me what I want … I want you tell your parents and your family and your loved ones you love them,” Mrs Bergemann continued.
“Please, go hug your mum, go hug your dad, hug your brothers. Tell them you love them. Just trust me, you’re loved.
“Cherish every moment … you don’t realise how much everybody loves you until it’s too late.”
It’s the second video the brave mum has shared after she posted on Wednesday to confirm the news of her son’s passing and thank the community for their outpouring support.
In an earlier video, she confirmed the news of Cody’s death and thanked the community for their outpouring love and support.
“This is the hardest thing I have had to do,” she said.
“We are okay, as best we can be, but yes, the rumours are true: sadly in the early hours this morning, Cody passed away in a car accident.
“I’m just trying to deal with it one second at a time.”
Close friend Zanne Clarke told the Gympie Times on Thursday the reality hit him “like a rock”.
They were so close, Mr Clarke’s children knew his late friend as “Uncle Cody”.
He said Cody would always be remembered as a “loving young man”, who had a way of making people laugh.
“(Cody) loved 4x4’s and hanging with the boys,” he said.
He described his close friend as a hardworking joker who was a well-known and loved in the community.
Mr Clarke’s partner, Laura-Eloise Kelly, also took to Facebook to share her own tribute, which included a photo of Cody and Mr Clarke sleeping after a fun night out.
Mr Clarke said the photo, taken just last week, was a reminder of his memories with his mate.
He wrote his own tribute in the comments of the post and said he hoped Cody was “looking down” on his friends and family.
“Gone miss ya brother love you to the moon and back only the good die young (sic),” he said.
Tributes are continuing to flow for the popular 19-year-old online.
Fliss Jones called him “one of the greatest and best people (she) had ever met”.
“I miss you so bloody much,” she said.
“I keep expecting you to walk through a door, or come around a corner doing your goofy smile.
“I’m so thankful I was a part of your life and that I had the time with you that I did.”
Ethan Ross said he still couldn’t believe Cody had passed away.
“You are going to be really, really missed my friend … love you buddie forever 19 fly high brother (sic),” he said.
Kirsty Louise offered her condolences to the Bergemann family and said Cody was an “amazing young man”.
Kelly Pike said she was going to miss Cody’s happiness.
“He was always happy. Rip Cody,” she wrote.
Marie Louise said she was going to miss Cody’s “cheeky banter”.
Keely Blair said Cody would be missed dearly.
“Rest easy, Codz, you’ll be forever 19!” she wrote.
Maree Scott said Cody would be sadly missed by his friends and family.
A Queensland Police spokesperson said Forensic Crash Unit investigations were continuing into the circumstances of the crash.
Anyone with information or dashcam footage in the area at the time is urged to contact police.
It is the second fatal crash in Glenwood in two weeks, after 53-year-old Maryborough man Brett Gregory was killed on the Bruce Hwy on May 17.