Organs of former Brisbane school vice-captain killed by alleged drink-driver give hope to others

A former Brisbane school vice-captain and popular young plane spotter has been remembered after being killed by an alleged drink-driver.

A former Brisbane school vice-captain and popular young plane spotter should have been driving home from Sydney to see his family today and bound for a new job at the international airport.

Instead, James Thomas Baxter’s parents and sister had to suddenly fly down to say their unexpected farewells before he passed away after being hit by an alleged drink-driver on the weekend.

James, 24, was rushed to Westmead Hospital in critical condition just after 8.50am Saturday following a three car crash at the intersection of the Great Western Highway and Melbourne Street in Colyton, just outside of Sydney, according to NSW Police.

Family members, who did not want to be named, said James was returning from a mechanic in preparation for his move back to Brisbane after working as a ramp services agent for Swissport at Sydney airport for 18 months.

He was turning right only two blocks from home when a car allegedly rammed him from behind, causing his Subaru hatchback to smash into a Toyota van in front of him.

He died with his family holding his hands at 10.37am Sunday.

Plane spotter James Thomas Baxter, 24, was killed by an alleged drink-driver in Sydney on Saturday. He was scheduled to move back home to Brisbane on May 5. Picture: Facebook

A NSW Police report said a 35-year-old man driving a Dodge Sedan that slammed into James was arrested after returning a positive roadside breath test.

“He was arrested and taken to St Marys Police Station and subjected to a breath analysis, which allegedly produced a positive result of 0.074,” the report stated.

The 31-year-old driver of the van was taken to and released from hospital.

James was scheduled to leave his Oxley Park home at 5am Thursday to return to Queensland, bound for a new job at the Brisbane International Airport and because he missed his family, especially his little sister, Rachel, 18, of Geebung.

“When he came home before Easter, he said ‘I miss you guys’, he missed going out with me and going on drives. We’d play music and go to Grill’d restaurants together,” she said.

James went on to study and obtain his private pilot’s license after graduating from Aviation State High School on Widdop St, Clayfield in 2015, where he was vice-captain.

The aviation lover was incredibly proud of Rachel, especially when she became school captain last year and when she was recently hired by Boeing.

One of James Baxter’s numerous aircraft photos. Picture: James Baxter/Flickr

Gluten-intolerant, Rachel said if they were ever somewhere where she could not find gluten-free food, then her 1.95m tall brother would ensure no one ate until they all could.

“He always wanted the best for people,” she said.

Her big brother had also been an organ donor and a regular blood donor since he was 18, most recently giving blood during his pre-Easter visit home.

Passionate about aviation, James was well-known in the plane spotting communities, where aeroplane enthusiasts learn about and photograph aircraft as a hobby.

Tributes have flowed on social media from fellow plane spotters around the world.

“An inspiration to us all. You were the one who sparked my love for night photography and I will never forget your legacy,” one man wrote on Instagram.

“I will forever cherish the moments we shared and the impact you had on the aviation community.”

Rachel Baxter, 18, said her big brother James was excited to find his initials on an aircraft recently. The aviation lover was killed by an alleged drink-driver in Sydney on Saturday, just days before he was scheduled to move back home to Brisbane. Picture: Supplied

Daniel Wilson, 30, of Alexandra Hills said he was flattered when James praised one of his helicopter photos.

“I was shocked, I couldn’t believe it. It meant a lot coming from him. He was my idol and I aim to make him proud,” he said.

“(James) was the main reason I got into night photography. He was the best at it and I wanted to take the best photos like him.”

“He was one of the good ones and had a lot of time for anyone.”

A family member, who did not want to be named, said James developed an interest in aviation at an early age thanks to his mum taking him to watch planes at an airport in Hamilton in Victoria.

They moved to Queensland – and coincidentally, to a house near the airport – in 2007.

Aviation State High School Principal David Munn, 60, said several staff members who knew James were “heartbroken.”

One of James Baxter’s s many photos. Picture: James Baxter/Instagram

“He was such a decent young man. This school was built for him, him and his crowd. I’d have to throw them out of school. I’d say ‘I have to go home and so do the cleaners,’” he said.

“James was one of our main ambassadors for anything around aviation. … If Boeing came to have a talk, he’d lead it. If we went to visit Qantas or Virgin, he would the one leading with questions.”

In lieu of flowers, the Baxter family are hoping people will become organ donors and donate blood on behalf of James.

A family member said, thanks to James, their loss had now given several other people hope.

“His heart is beating in someone now,” he said.

The photographer’s liver, lungs, kidneys, corneas, bone marrow, some bones and even his skin have been donated.

“His skin has gone to a burns unit and his pancreas has gone to research into pancreatic cancer research,” the loved one said.

James Baxter with his beloved little sister, Rachel. Picture: Facebook

The man NSW police said was driving the Sedan that hit James appeared in the Penrith Local Court, Henry St, Penrith on Tuesday, where he had charges upgraded to dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – drive manner dangerous, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, dangerous driving occasioning death-drive manner dangerous, negligent driving occasioning death and drive with low range prescribed concentration of alcohol (PCA).

In NSW a low range PCA offence includes a person who drives on a public road with a blood alcohol concentration from 0.05 to 0.079.

The man did not apply for bail.

He is scheduled to appear in court on July 5.

Anyone with information about the crash is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to visit nsw.crimestoppers.com.au