Tributes flow for Gavin Brown after fatal crash in Peak Hill, New South Wales

A young man was on a life-changing move to Queensland for a fresh start and to be with his family in Ipswich when he was killed in a car crash in New South Wales.

Victorian man Gavin Brown was killed in a multi-vehicle crash at Peak Hill, New South Wales on Monday, June 10, 2024. Picture: Supplied

A young man was on a life-changing move to Queensland for a fresh start and to be with his family when he was killed in a car crash in New South Wales on Monday.

Gavin Brown was killed in a crash involving a cattle truck carrying livestock and a four-wheel drive on the Newell Highway near Peak Hill, New South Wales at about 5.10pm on Monday, June 10.

The 19-year-old was on a journey for a fresh start, leaving Horsham in Victoria at 4am that day, en route to Ipswich, Queensland to live with his family.

Gavin Brown died a week before his 20th birthday. Picture: Supplied

His stepsister Shelby Eagleson said the family has been left devastated following the loss of Gavin, who would have turned 20-years-old this Sunday.

“Our family is utterly devastated by this sudden loss of a young life and we can’t even begin to express how lost we are,” Ms Eagleson said.

“It’s just such a loss, such a young life, I just can’t believe it.”

An old family photo of Shelby Eagleson, Amber Brown, Simon Brown, Gavin Brown, and Miles (Dusty) Brown. Picture: Supplied

While his family had moved up to Queensland a few months prior, Gavin wanted to remain behind in Victoria to be with his partner and friends.

“He wanted to just stay for a bit and wait out, he had his friends, he had a girlfriend at the time, and he just had it all going for him,” Ms Eagleson said.

“I think he was going to stay until the football season was over even.”

Gavin Brown was wanting to move to Queensland to be with his family. Picture: Supplied

However, after going through a bit of a rough patch, Gavin sought a fresh start in Queensland.

“He wanted to start a new chapter in his life, he was turning 20 this Sunday and he wanted to start a new life,” she said.

“We were meant to see him this afternoon (Tuesday) and he just never showed up.

“He was on his way to come live with us and he just never came.”

Gavin Brown was popular within the community of Horsham, Victoria. Picture: Supplied

Tragically, Ms Eagleson said Gavin’s dad had called him about an hour prior to the crash.

“His dad spoke to him like an hour before, you know, telling him to get some rest and to rest up, it’s a big drive. and then he just couldn’t get a hold of them,” she said.

“We assumed he went and rested, he just went to bed for the night.”

Ms Eagleson said she wants Gavin to be remembered as a man that was for the community.

“He was that bloke that everyone could call on, he looked after everyone and everyone looked after him,” she said.

“He just loved his community and the community loved him back, such a loss.”

She said that Gavin will always be “her cheeky younger brother”.

“I always wanted to be a big sister to someone and I got that opportunity with Gavin until I realised that little brothers always get into things and they like to run amok and they’re dirty,” she said.

“Growing up, he was always cheeky, he was always happy go-lucky, I feel like he made an impact on every life he crossed.

“He was always that cheeky younger brother.”

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been launched by the family to cover all expenses to do with his funeral.