Townsville teen David Booth dies alongside beloved dogs in tragic crash north of Charters Towers

A heartbroken sister has paid tribute to her teenage brother who tragically died with his faithful canines by his side when his ute crashed driving home to Townsville.

David Booth, 19, died alongside beloved dogs in tragic crash north of Charters Towers on Monday. Picture: Suppled

A heartbroken sister has paid tribute to her teenage brother who tragically died with his faithful canines by his side when his ute crashed driving home to Townsville.

David Booth, 19, was on his way home to Wulguru after working out bush on the weekend when his Land Rover utility crashed on Gregory Developmental Rd in Basalt, 80km north of Charters Towers, about 3.30am on Monday.

The heavy commercial mechanic apprentice sustained critical injuries and tragically died at the scene, along with his “best mates”, his dogs Rusty and Trigger, who were also in the ute.

His sister Kate Booth described David as “one of the most caring family men” in an emotional tribute.

She said the 19-year-old was the youngest with five older sisters who will never be the same due to this tragedy.

Kate Booth (centre) and her younger brother David, 19, who was tragically killed in a crash at Basalt on Monday. His girlfriend Jess is pictured on the left. Picture: Supplied

“He was always there for any of the family and would spend any spare minute working away bush with dad to help him because that’s the type of person he was,” she said.

“He would get up at the crack of dawn for work and come home late, he loved what he did.

David died alongside his beloved dogs Rusty and Trigger in the tragic crash north of Charters Towers. Picture: Suppled

“He always worked hard because he was trying to get ahead in life so he could marry his girlfriend and buy a house, it was his dream to buy a cattle property so his little kids could have a quality upbringing like we did.”

Like many siblings, Ms Booth said she would at time bicker with her brother, but there was never a moment where she felt like she couldn’t call him if she were upset or in trouble.

“He was my safety net,” she said.

David Booth, 19, and his girlfriend Jess Jackson. Picture: Supplied

“He was the selfless person who would take his shirt off his own back if you were someone he cared about.

“The hardest working and most bull-headed determined person I’ve ever met.

David Booth, 19, (right) with his father and their beloved Landrover utes. Picture: Supplied

“He was so skilled and ahead of his apprenticeship because he just had a constant thirst for knowledge that impressed so many of his colleagues and people he drove out to breakdowns for.

David died alongside his beloved dogs Rusty and Trigger. Picture: Suppled

“There isn’t a single soul on this earth like him, and it’s going to break my heart going every day without him here anymore.

“Life is unfair, and he should’ve been the last person to be cut short on time. I knew he couldn’t leave his two beloved dogs behind because they were his babies.”

Police said the Forensic Crash Unit are continuing to investigate the circumstances of his fatal crash. 

Originally published as Townsville teen David Booth dies alongside beloved dogs in tragic crash north of Charters Towers