Lleyton Bartlett tribute: Mum’s tribute to son after Nambour Connection Rd double fatality

The heartbroken mum of a 22-year-old mechanic who died after a horror crash while fixing a bus on the Sunshine Coast has paid tribute to her son.

A heartbroken mother has paid emotional tribute to her beloved son who died after a horror crash while working as a mechanic fixing a broken down bus.

Lleyton Bartlett, 22, was repairing a broken-down bus on the side of Nambour Connection Rd alongside his 25-year-old co-worker Aaron Pitt when the pair were allegedly hit and killed by a car about 3.30pm Thursday, April 21, 2022.

The pair – who police confirmed worked for bus company CDC South East Queensland (formerly Buslink) – were rushed to Sunshine Coast University Hospital where they tragically succumbed to their critical injuries.

Investigations were now under way with Forensic Crash Unit police and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland officers both probing the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Mr Bartlett’s mum Lisa Bartlett paid tribute to her “caring” and “popular” son who had just completed his diesel mechanic apprenticeship in January.

“Lleyton was full of life, he always lived in the fast lane,” Mrs Bartlett said.

“He loved to play sports, he did motocross and hockey, and loved camping with his mates.

“He always put on a smile on everyone’s face.”

After a sleepless night struggling to come to terms with the loss of her eldest child, Mrs Bartlett said her family and her son’s girlfriend were heartbroken.

“We just want our boy home and we know he’s not coming home,” she said.

“We just have to try and move forward slowly.”

Mrs Bartlett described how kind her son was to everyone around him, especially his younger brother Jai.

“He was always there for Jai, even when Jai had issues he had to be there and would say ‘I’m coming right now’. He would just drop everything to be there for him,” she said.

The Immanuel Lutheran College graduate had been working alongside his mother at CDC for five years where Mrs Bartlett had worked as the charter co-ordinator for the past six years.

“He would come and see me and give me a hug and he didn’t care about being watched or anything like that, he would give me a hug and say ‘I love you mum’,” she said.

“Even when he hung up the phone, he would always tell my husband and I, ‘I love you’.”

Mrs Bartlett said she has no doubt CDC would be looking into what went wrong and said the company had been very supportive.

“It’s really hard but the company is looking after us very well,” she said.

The Maroochydore Hockey Club also paid tribute to Lleyton on social media.

“Lleyton was a Maroochydore junior, senior and Sunshine Coast rep player up to only two years ago,” the post read.

“I know he had many friends among the club so let’s all look after each other.”

Mr Bartlett completed his schooling from preschool to graduation in 2017 at Immanuel Lutheran College where principal Colin Minke described him as a “cheeky and cheerful” student with a contagious energy.

Mr Minke taught Mr Bartlett in vocational subjects in grades 11 and 12 where he excelled.

He said Mr Bartlett was involved in building a bridge at the front of the school which still stands today as well as a cubby house for younger students.

Mr Minke described the young man as a gifted sportsman and said while hockey was his favourite he was willing to try anything.

“And he always had a smile on his face,” Mr Minke said.

“From touch football to Aussie rules - even though he didn’t know it from a bar of soap - he had a crack.

“That’s why people remember Lleyton because he was energetic and he was rarely down … sometimes he was a handful but that’s what made Lleyton who he was.”

Mr Minke said the school extended its sympathies to Mr Bartlett’s family and friends and had offered counselling to staff, students and former students.

CDC regional Australia division chief executive Tony Hopkins said the team was “deeply saddened”.

“These young employees were highly regarded members of the CDC team,” Mr Hopkins said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this terrible time.”

Mr Hopkins said the details of the incident were still unclear and the company would provide assistance to authorities.

An Office of Industrial Relations spokeswoman confirmed they were looking into the incident.

“We can confirm that Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is investigating along with Queensland Police Service so no further comment is possible at this stage,” the spokeswoman said.

Sunshine Coast Police central patrol group Inspector Jason Overland said a 43-year-old Warana woman alleged to have been driving the sedan that struck Mr Bartlett and his colleague was assisting police with their inquiries.

He confirmed she returned a negative result during an alcohol test at the scene.

Inspector Overland described the incident as a “tragedy” for the local community.

“It is a reminder for our community to take care around roadways,” he said.

He said the Forensic Crash Unit had taken over the investigation and a “comprehensive” report would be prepared for the coroner.

Sunshine Coast Forensic Crash Unit Sergeant Peter Cowan requested anyone with dashcam footage that could identify a white BMW to come forward.

He said the 43-year-old Warana woman had also provided a blood specimen to police which would be analysed with results expected back within a few weeks.