Lachlan Snadden dies in motorcycle crash near Nimbin

An 18-year-old man has been remembered for being true to himself after his life was tragically cut short in a crash on a northern NSW road.

A “gentle soul” who had come out of his shell since buying a motorbike has been stolen away by a crash that has left his family devastated.

Lachlan “Lachie” Snadden, of Lillian Rock, suffered fatal injuries when his Kawasaki motorcycle and another vehicle collided on Blue Knob Road, northwest of Nimbin, on Wednesday afternoon.

He was 18.

Lachlan Snadden as a boy with older sister, Tayla, and younger sister, Mia.

Lachlan’s family paid tribute to him in a joint statement, describing their son and brother as a soft, gentle soul who was kind, caring, and a polite gentleman.

“He loved drawing, and always creating stuff with his friends,” family members said.

“He loved to create in the kitchen and make coffee.”

They said the former Kyogle High student was true to himself, loved experimenting with hair colours and loved his friends.

“He would talk to anyone and everyone, loved telling a story, had time for everyone from every walk of life,” family members said.

Lachlan Snadden (left) with best friend Declan Dixon, who have been mates since primary school.

They said Lachlan was an avid gamer.

“Lachie enjoyed making his space his own, and also enjoyed spending time in solitude,” his family said.

“Lachie loved his bike, his motorbike brought him out of his shell and gave him freedom.”

It was a passion he had cherished since he was 8.

He also adored his sister’s children and was an entertaining uncle to them.

“Lachlan loved being an uncle,” his family said.

“He was always ready to muck around and play imagination games with the kids.

“He loved animals, his cat Cheeka and his spiders.”

Lachlan Snadden with his dad Brett, older sister Tayla, mum Shelly and younger sister Mia at Tayla’s wedding in December 2021.

Close family friend Emily Crane said there had been tremendous support from the community.

“The amount of messages of support the family have received and the grief people are expressing not only from family and friends, but also customers to the family shop, as well as business owners, past teachers, bus drivers, everyone, and all types show how much Lachie was loved and meant to people,” she said.

“He will remain in our hearts and be incredibly missed by so many.”

A GoFundMe page has been established for the family.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash.