Community asked to donate to the Queensland Children’s Hospital after Max Knight passes away

A man has come out of an induced coma to learn that his wide-eyed and cheeky son died from horrific burns suffered in a fiery Father’s Day tragedy. Here’s how you can help the family in their time of need.

The community was asked to make donation to the Queensland Children’s Hospital after Max Knight died for burns he suffered on Father's Day, September 3, 2023.

A Lockyer Valley man has been brought out of an induced coma to be told the heartbreaking news that his young son died after the pair were injured in a horrific Father’s Day tragedy.

Five-year-old Max Knight was riding his PeeWee50 motorbike around the family’s Murphys Creek property on Sunday when about 10.30am a jerry can full of petrol ignited while his father Harley was refuelling the bike.

The boy suffered critical burns to 90 per cent of his fragile young body, while Harley suffered serious burns to his face, chest and arms.

Max John Knight, 5, died in a tragic fire at his Murphy's Creek home on Fathers Day, 2023. His father, Harley Knight (pictured right) suffered burns to 40 per cent of his body and was placed in an induced coma.

Max would never recover from his injuries and passed away about 7am on Monday.

Close friend Tracy Drewes opened a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the family.

She said Max passed away in his mum’s arms after they were able to get imprints of his feet – the only parts of his body that were not touched by fire.

“Max had a little light that burned so bright,” she said.

“He had two speeds; full-steam or complete stop.

“He had this lovely raspy voice and it was heartbreaking because he had so much potential, he could not wait to start Prep and he loved being outdoors.

“The PeeWee50 was his most prized possession and he had been riding since he was a two-year-old.”

Any money raised through the GoFundMe campaign will be used to help with funeral expenses and to cover Harley’s medical costs, as he is expected to stay in hospital for several months.

“Harley has a long road to recovery,” Ms Drewes said.

“They have done one skin graft and all he was concerned about was saving Max.”

The family has also asked for members of the community to make donations to the Queensland Children’s Hospital in Max’s name.

“They did everything they could to save him,” Ms Drewes said.

Originally published as Community asked to donate to the Queensland Children’s Hospital after Max Knight passes away