Ryan Kimball anniversary: Family reflects on year of ‘living hell’ and share final photo

Ryan Kimball’s shattered parents have shared the last photo taken of the beloved teen as they reveal how they are honouring their forever 16-year-old on the anniversary of his death.

Buderim teen Ryan Kimball’s family has shared the final photo ever captured of their 16-year-old son after enduring a “living hell” in the 12 months since his death.

Friday, June 9, marks one year since the tragic death of the beloved teen who died instantly when the car he was a passenger in lost control at high speed and collided with a power pole at Bli Bli.

It was revealed during the now 18-year-old driver’s sentencing that he had completed his 100 hours but not taken his P’s test. The driver cannot be identified for being 17 at the time of the offence.

Ryan’s death sent shockwaves through the community, and forever altered the lives of his heartbroken parents Graeme and Annette.

Mr Kimball said the final photo ever captured of Ryan, a copy of which is now pinned to a wall in their late son’s bedroom, was taken by a friend the day before he died.

In the candid shot, Ryan is seen leaning on a boat moored on a river bank.

Graeme and Annette Kimball lost their son Ryan in 2022 when he died in a fatal crash caused by reckless driving. He was only 16.

“Boats were his big thing … he was driving boats since the age of three with his grandfather,” Mr Kimball said.

The day after that photo was taken, the Kimballs’ lives were destroyed.

Mr Kimball described it as a “living hell”; from the moment he learned of Ryan’s death to a horror social media fallout with videos surfaced online from the fatal crash and to recently seeing the killer driver walk from court without a conviction.

He was sentenced to 18 months’ detention suspended with an immediate, conditional release, disqualified from driving for 18 months, and a conviction was not recorded.

The final photo of Buderim teen Ryan Kimball, captured the day before he died. Photo: Contributed

The family received another devastating blow last month when they learned the Attorney General rejected their plea for an appeal of the sentencing of the driver - who was on his phone and speeding.

“We’ve done nearly all our firsts (without Ryan) … Christmas is really hard for us because Ryan’s birthday is on the 22nd of December,” the father said.

“You’re completing that one year cycle, but it’ll be a continuous thing … it never stops.”

The most difficult part was watching Ryan’s friends grow up without him.

A roadside memorial to Ryan Kimball.

“Our son doesn’t get that chance,” Mr Kimball said with tears in his eyes.

The last time he spoke to his son was the night before he died, when he was lying in bed and Ryan came in and “stirred the dog up”.

That was Ryan’s “trademark”, Mr Kimball said. Rusty, a rescue dog the Kimballs had adopted for Ryan, was his best mate.

“Then (Ryan) turned around to me and said ‘good night Dad, see you tomorrow’,” he said.

Ryan Kimball. Picture: Facebook

Mrs Kimball said the final words he said to her was “I love you” as he left their house to get into the car that would kill him a short time later.

Ryan was described as “a friend to many” who helped other teens with anxiety and always protected his younger brother Tyson.

Graeme and Annette Kimball lost their son Ryan in 2022 when he died in a fatal crash caused by reckless driving. He was only 16.

He was a “sweet kid” who was always trustworthy and loyal to his friends, Mr Kimball said.

When visiting friends’ houses, Ryan would always make time to talk with their parents, often asking how their day was.

He had aspirations of becoming a plumber or a boat pilot, Mr Kimball said.

The grieving parents will open their home up on Friday, June 9, to Ryan’s friends to mark the anniversary of his death by sharing stories and feasting on his favourite food, KFC.