Mitchell Henderson tribute: Lismore dad dies in Alstonville crash

Heartbroken family and friends have paid tribute to a doting dad with a “heart of gold” who died in a Bruxner Highway horror crash.

Mitchell Henderson with his young daughter. Picture: Facebook

Friends and family of a doting dad whose talent for baseball was renowned as a youngster have paid tribute to a young man stolen away from a tragic crash near Alstonville.

Mitch Henderson, 21, is being remembered as a young man with a “heart of gold” who turned his life around to support his young daughter.

The Lismore father of one died after a tragic crash on the Bruxner Highway about 3.15pm on Tuesday.

Family friend Rachael Olive said Mitchell was a beloved brother to Kave and son to father Dave.

Mitchell Henderson plays a game against Marist Brothers at Albert Park in Lismore back when he was in under 14s. Picture: Marc Stapelberg

“He loved his baseball and he loved his dad and brother unconditionally,” she said.

“Everything he did, he did with passion and wholeheartedly.

She said he had a wicked sense of humour.

“You couldn’t help but laugh and shake your head,” she said.

“Mitchy you have and always will hold a special place in our hearts.”

Far North Coast Baseball Association’s Brad Donald said Mitchell was a talented baseball player who was in talks to rejoin the sport in the new year.

He said the loss was “shocking” for the North Coast baseball community in which Mitchell’s family had played an integral role for more than two decades.

“No parent should ever have to bury their child,” he said.

Mr Donald first met Mitchell when he was eight or nine in Redbirds and described him then as a “polite, well-mannered respectful young kid”.

“He was a good little baseball player, no two ways about that,” he said.

Mitchell Henderson as a Far North Coast Under 16 player during a game against Brisbane North. Picture: Marc Stapelberg

He said Mitchell turned his life around when he found out he was going to be a dad.

“I think at that point Mitch realised … his daughter is going to be his world,” he said.

“It showed a great deal of character on his part.”

Mitchell Trindall, Mitchell Henderson and Brodie Olive. Picture: Rachael Olive

It is believed he was returning home from work in Ballina on Tuesday when he lost control in the wet weather.

NSW Police confirmed a Holden Commodore sedan and Mazda BT50 utility collided on the Bruxner Highway on Tuesday afternoon.

Mitchell, who was driving the Holden was trapped and later flown to the Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition where he died.

A 47 year-old man who was driving the Mazda was taken to Lismore Base Hospital for treatment to minor injuries.

Mitchell is survived by his daughter Zatahlee, his parents and brother.