Rosemount crash victim remembered as ‘always smiling’ teen
Friends and family are mourning the loss of an “always smiling” Nambour State College graduate with defence force ambitions.
Sunshine Coast
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The life of an “always smiling” Bli Bli teenager was tragically cut short days after he was progressing his application for the defence force.
Castor Zabala could not be saved after his car slid and crashed on Friday despite the best efforts of witnesses and paramedics.
The Nambour State College 2021 graduate and son to Crystal Hann and step son to Bevan McMartin has been described as a “role model”.
His step aunty Kerrie McMartin said Castor enjoyed his time helping at the McMartin family farm at Bli Bli, picking strawberries or lychees and selling them at the shop.
“He will always be remembered as the kid who was always smiling or whistling,” she said.
“Saying he was extremely happy just doesn’t cut it.
“He was more than that to us.
“He will always be remembered as a beautiful soul.”
She said two days before the accident Castor was completing allergen tests for his application for the Australian Defence Force.
“He was a kid who was going places,” she said.
He lived in Bli Bli with his mum Crystal – who works at Sunshine Coast University Hospital – and sugar cane farming step dad Bevan for five years.
School friends Ethan Zande and Harrison Adler said Castor was a role model.
Ethan, 15, said Castor enjoyed playing basketball for Nambour State College.
“He was always like a big brother to us younger boys at school,” Ethan said.
Harrison said he was a “kind hearted” mate who brought joy to everyone around him.
Ms McMartin said Castor had more driving experience than most teenagers because of his time spent on farms at Bli Bli.
She hoped his family and friends could focus on the happy memories they had with the young man.
“I think it’s important in times when someone passes that it’s not about what you’ve lost but what you’ve gained by having them in your life,” Ms McMartin said.
“He really was the light in everyone’s life.”
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