Liam Van Horen: Tributes flow for Blue Mountains man struck by a car on the Sunshine Coast

There’s been an outpouring of grief for a Sunshine Coast student who died in a tragic incident as friends come to terms with the loss of their “best mate”.

Tributes are flowing for Liam Van Horen after the New South Wales man lost his life in a tragic incident at Sippy Downs.

A New South Wales man killed in a horrific incident on the Sunshine Coast has been described as all-round exceptional human being who will be greatly missed.

Liam Van Horen, 24, died on Saturday, July 3, after he was struck by a car while lying on a Sippy Downs street.

Originally from the Blue Mountains, Mr Van Horen was studying at the University of the Sunshine Coast to become a paramedic.

He was living at Varsity Apartments just a few hundred metres away from where his life was tragically cut short on Parkville Street after a night out.

Varsity Apartments director Karen Netherwood said Mr Van Horen was very popular with students who lived nearby and was well liked by complex’s onsite security team members too.

Tributes have been pouring in for 24-year-old Liam Van Horen who died after being struck by a car in Sippy Downs on Saturday night.

It’s understood Mr Van Horen became separated from a group of friends in the lead up to the incident.

Residents of Parkville Street, who didn’t want to give their names, said they were consumed with grief.

They wanted Mr Van Horen’s family to know he was not alone, they were by their son’s side and held his hand until the end.

A roadside tribute has been growing for the popular student.

A basketball signed with his name and a cross honouring “a great mate” have been left on a centre island.

Friends and neighbours have left tributes for Liam Van Horen who died after being hit by a car in Sippy Downs on Saturday night. Picture: Maddie Manwaring

There have also been tributes from his home in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales.

Mr Van Horen was a Blue Mountain Grammar School old boy and had played in all four instalments of the Blue Mountains and Greater West Rugby Sevens Carnival.

He was a two-time championship winner with the Milthorpe Mountain Goats in the men’s cup division.

Tournament organisers said Mr Van Horen was held in the highest regard by all who knew him.

“He was a man of high integrity and always was the first to lend a hand to someone that needed it,” a post on the tournament’s Facebook page reads.

“Liam often volunteered his time the days leading into the tournament to help build the site and was simply an all-round exceptional human being.

“The Blue Mountains rugby community has lost one of the best it ever had, he will be missed.”

Tributes have been pouring in for 24-year-old Liam Van Horen who passed away after being struck by a car in Sippy Downs on Saturday night.

Tributes have also been pouring in on social media with friends leaving messages, including from Connor Farnell.

“It still doesn’t feel real mate, I can’t believe it,” Mr Farnell wrote.

“I miss you so much already.

“Before you left for the coast I never would have thought that was our last hug and last moment together.

“It made me so happy to know you were loving it up there and hearing from you hours before it happened I know you were in a good place my boy.

“I’m so grateful to have shared some of the best memories of my life with you Liam, and to call you my best mate was a privilege.”

Tributes are flowing for Liam Van Horen after the New South Wales man lost his life in a tragic incident at Sippy Downs.

Aaron Friend wrote: “Over 15 years of friendship, I never expected this day to come.”

“Liam, you were a great friend with a huge heart … I am gutted that this has happened, but this isn’t goodbye.

“Rest in paradise, I’ll see you there xx Love ya mate.”

The USC Barbarians Rugby Club confirming they’d lost a ‘brother and a true clubman’.

Mr Van Horen was a utility back for the reserves side and played 13 at the weekend against Caloundra.

Reserve grade assistant coach backs John Williams wrote: “Liam was a mate, brother and a valued member of our family.”

“His contribution as man and player has left an incredible mark on each of us.”

Sunshine Coast Forensic Crash Unit police officers are investigating the incident.