Buxton crash victim Tyrese Bechard’s funeral held in Picton
Buxton crash victim Tyrese Bechard has been remembered as a “cheeky kid” who grew into a “respectful young man” at his funeral in Picton on Thursday.
NSW
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Buxton crash victim Tyrese Bechard has been farewelled in a moving church ceremony at Picton this morning where friends and family described him as “cheeky kid” with “contagious energy”.
The 15-year-old, along with fellow Picton High students Lily van de Putte, 15, Summer Williams, 14, Antonio Desisto, 15, and 14-year-old Gabby McLennan, were killed when the Nissan Navara they were travelling in ploughed into a tree on East Parade at Buxton on Tuesday last week.
More than 250 friends and family gathered at Hishouse Church for the 10am funeral service, including Exaven Desisto and John van de Putte, the fathers of Antonio and Lily.
The duo, along with family members, came to pay their respects to Tyrese and his relatives ahead of funeral services for their own children, which will take place in the coming days.
In a sombre, solitary act ahead of the service, Mr van de Putte was seen to steer his wheelchair over to Tyrese’s coffin and place a hand gently on the casket in tribute to a young life tragically cut short.
As the service got underway, mourners heard from Tyrese’s heartbroken aunt, Rebecca, as she delivered a powerful tribute on behalf of the family to the boy affectionately known as “Reecey”.
“Our beautiful boy, you were taken too soon,” she said, fighting back tears.
“[We] miss your laugh, your cheeky smile, your contagious energy and your bear hugs.”
She said her nephew, who was raised by his grandparents after the death of his mother, was a “cheeky kid” growing up but had developed into a “respectful, honest and beautiful young man” who had big plans for his future.
“He had the world in the palm of his hand, he had big goals set for himself,” she said, revealing he wanted to save money for a house and had planned in the near future to buy a car so he could drive his grandparents around.
Tyrese’s cousins Marcus and Nadia also paid respects to him in heartfelt statements read out by Pastor Michael Bourke.
“He was like a second brother to me ... whenever we would have a family gathering I’d look forward to seeing him there,” Marcus said.
“I’ll never forget what he’s done for my family and me.”
Nadia acknowledged the tragedy of her cousin’s death.
“How you passed away was tragic, I wished that never had to happen,” she said.
“You were always so kind, you had the biggest heart, the most precious smile. You’ll always have a special place in my heart.”
Meanwhile, four of Tyrese’s friends spoke about their close bonds with the 15-year-old and their shared experiences growing up in the Wollondilly, where they made memories that will last a lifetime.
Blake said the pair regularly hung out together but recalled a special moment between them one day when Tyrese told him “Blake, “you make me a better person”.
“You don’t know how happy I was,” he said.
Wade and Charlie described their mate as a “good friend” who would do “anything for anyone”, while Dean told mourners he will cherish the memories he had of the pair “laughing, giggling and crying” with each other.
Mourners were shown a slideshow featuring photos and videos of Tyrese enjoying time with family and friends, as well as riding his BMX pushbike at the local skate park, where he was a regular fixture.
At the end of the service, those in attendance made a guard of honour outside the church, clapping as the hearse carrying Tyrese’s coffin made its way out onto the street, bound for Picton cemetery, where a burial will take place.
Earlier, Tyrese’s grandmother Lily Tan and his aunt Maria Ma were greeted at the church by mourners, many of whom extended open arms to the grieving family.
The funeral is the first of five which will be held in the coming days for the teens who died in the horror crash, which plunged the close-knit community on the outskirts of Sydney into deep mourning.
The 18-year-old alleged driver, Tyrell Edwards, was the sole survivor of the crash.
He has since been charged with five counts of dangerous driving occasioning death and refused bail in court.
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