Father of Lily Van de Putte offers to meet with the driver’s parents

A week after burying his teenage daughter, a grieving father has made an incredible request of the parents whose son was charged over her death.

The grieving father of a teenage girl killed in an horrific crash has made a courageous gesture to the parents of the P-plate driver charged with killing her.

John Van de Putte only buried his daughter Lily, 14, a week ago. Now he wants to meet the parents of Tyrell Edwards, 18, who was at the wheel of a ute when he hit a tree at Buxton on September 6, killing five teens.

“I just want to give them a hug,” Mr Van de Putte said. “No hard feelings, no anger ... I need to do it for closure.”

Lily, her best friends Gabriella McLennan and Summer Williams, along with Tyrese Bechard and Antonio Desisto were all passengers in Edwards’ ute when police allege he lost control at high speed and crashed.

The five passengers - who were all school mates - died at the scene, while Edwards suffered minor cuts and bruising.

John Van De Putte, father of Lily Van De Putte, one of the five victims tragically killed in a crash at Buxton. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Mr Van de Putte said he doesn’t know Edwards’ parents, but he has heard they are “nice people”.

“At the end of the day, they are suffering too, their son is in jail (on remand),” he said.

A tribute to his daughter Lily has been set up in Mr Van de Putte’s home. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Edwards was charged with five counts of dangerous driving causing death, and refused bail. He has spent the past 16 days in Silverwater prison where he is on suicide watch.

A brave Mr Van de Putte said he then hopes to channel his grief into a good cause, and work with the NSW Government to see road rules changed in a bid to save lives.

“That will be Lily’s legacy,” he said.
“I’d like to see speed immobilisers put in cars, for people on their blacks too ... and repeat offenders, not just P-platers.

“The technology is there, so it can be done.”

Mr Van de Putte with his daughter Lily.

His comments come as Picton High School principal Warren Parkes said it had been a harrowing fortnight for the community, culminating in five funerals.

“We are a long way from this being over, but now that our students have had the chance to say goodbye, we can at least start moving on,” Mr Parkes said.

Wollondilly Council mayor Matt Gould said it would be a long time before the community recovers from the tragedy of losing five young lives.

“It has been an extremely difficult time for the Wollondilly community, and in particular our young people,” Mr Gould said.

He said the council had organised a series of events and support services over the next few weeks to address the trauma, including art and music workshops, BBQs and movie nights.

“Each event is aimed at providing social connection, recreational opportunities, and professional support for our local youth and their families,” he said.

Police will allege Edwards was travelling at “high speed” on rural East Pde when he lost control, just before 8pm.

His five passengers were all thrown from the vehicle, which split in two on impact.

The Daily Telegraph has reached out to the Edwards family on Mr Van de Putte’s behalf.