Danny Appleton remembered by partner Leesa Wilson after Westwood crash

Danny Appleton was at the beginning of a new adventure, getting engaged and getting his dream motorbike before a fatal crash. For those who knew him, it’s an unspeakable loss of a devoted father and loving friend.

Danny Appleton is being remembered for his cheeky smile, love of the outdoors and for being 'one of a kind'.

Danny Appleton was just starting a new adventure.

He was freshly engaged to his beloved partner Leesa Wilson, achieved his goal of operating road trains and after more than 30 years of dreaming, he’d finally purchased the thing he’d been wanting his entire life — his Honda CBR1000 RR, or Fireblade, motorbike.

That dream came at the cost of his life.

Danny, 36, was on his way to visit Leesa on his Fireblade motorbike on June 3 when it collided with a utility vehicle at the intersection with Spring Creek Rd at 11.04am.

The Blackwater man died at the scene.

But those who knew and loved Danny remember him for his cheeky smile, his love for the outdoors and being a devoted dad and partner.

“I love Danny to the moon and back,” Leesa said.

Danny Appleton was like a ‘kid in a candy shop’ when he picked up his new motorbike.

Danny grew up on the Sunshine Coast and moved to Blackwater about a year ago, where he worked driving road trains. He was extremely passionate about his role and had worked towards it steadily since scoring his licence.

As a kid, Danny loved playing and had a close bond with his grandparents.

He was working in the mines when he met his partner Leesa.

When they weren’t working, they would explore the Blackdown Tablelands or go fishing.

Danny’s close friend Alysha Wheatland will always remember his dedication and passion for road trains.

“When I first met him he got up me for calling it a truck, not a road train, that was one of his things,” she said.

“No one could ever say he was a truck driver, he was a road train operator.”

But his love for trains was only beaten by his love for the people around him.

“He was a very devoted father and he loved fishing and camping was his absolute favourite,” Alysha said.

Danny and his partner Leesa.

“The motorbike he was one was something he had just recently got and always wanted…riding was one of his biggest passions and it’s unfortunate he went out that way.

“He was an amazing guy.”

Their love of hiking and exploring was clear in how Danny proposed to Leesa.

On May 10, the couple went for a hike before finishing off at Pebble Beach where Danny got on one knee and asked Leesa to marry him.

“He’s left a massive void in our lives and especially his partner’s, it’s been such a massive struggle for her,” Alysha said.

“They finally had a life together and it got ripped apart from them so early on.

“A lot of us are grieving, he’s only recently started coming to Yeppoon and has made so many new friends and we had so many plans with him and that got cut away from us as well.”

Alysha described Danny as “one of a kind” with a cheeky smile.

“He was just the funniest guy, he could make you smile no matter what,” she said.

Danny Appleton. Picture: Contributed

“He was a child at heart, he just had the perfect sense of humour. If you were having a bad day he could just lighten your whole world.

“Whenever he wasn’t working he’d be out fishing, camping, or climbing mountains with his partner. They would basically explore everywhere when they had the chance.”

The day Danny picked up his dream motorbike, he was like a “kid in a candy store”, with Alysha saying he “smiled for days”.

“He was ecstatic, he smiled for days when he got that motorbike,” she said.

“When he wasn’t working he’d take it out for a ride, it was his pride and joy.”

After getting his motorbike Danny joined a motorbike club, where he would go on rides with members in the group.

Leesa said the club had been “massive supports” since Danny’s passing.

“They’re worth their weight in gold,” she said.

Danny’s parents and Aunty Jodie also shared words to express how much they’d miss their son and nephew.

“To my beautiful son, I love you around the world and back, forever Mum,” his mum said.

“Dear son Danny, gone too soon, going to miss you now you have your wings, love Dad,” his dad said.

“I’m lost for words, miss him like crazy. Still waiting for him to call and rub it in on what he’s cooking Leesa for dinner. Still doesn’t feel real at times,” his Auntie Jodie said.