Tributes for Ike Brooks, 17, after fatal crash at Greystanes

Tributes continue to pour in for a rugby league loving “boy from the bush” and promising apprentice who died in his ute while he was going to visit his father in western Sydney.

Ike Brooks was a keen footballer and promising plumber. Picture: Facebook

Flowers, candles and rugby league jerseys continue to mount for on the site at Greystanes where a much-loved teenager died when his ute ploughed into a telegraph pole during an accident on April 29.

Pemulwuy 17-year-old Ike Brooks was driving along Gipps Rd near Merrylands Rd when he crashed into the telegraph pole on the Saturday, about 10am, when rain had caused the roads to be slippery.

Ike was about to visit his father Paul at Greystanes when the fatality happened. His mother Kate was driving minutes behind her son and discovered the shocking scene filled with police and ambulance crews.

When she called Paul and learned he was not with his father, the unbearable news hit her.

It was not so long ago she had asked him to make his bed before he went to visit his father.

Ike Brooks died when his ute crashed into a telegraph pole at Greystanes. Picture: Facebook

“He was a beautiful 17 year old, fun loving, living his life,’’ Ms Brooks said.

“He was above his years. He left school and was working.

“He was just a keen saver, (he wanted) to do well, finish his trade, maybe go out to his own business one day. He was 17 but he was really careful with his money.’’

One of the family’s last fondest memories was visiting Noosa for their annual holiday in March, when Ike was working but managed to visit for a weekend.

“We did everything together,’’ Ms Brooks said.

She said Ike knew from his early high school days he wanted to complete a trade and took up a job with Blacktown Council where he was a second-year apprentice and was already excelling in his trade

He made several friends with fellow workers.

He would constantly wash his ute after going camping on weekends.

Ike’s uncle Kieron Brooks said despite the former Our Lady Queen of Peace Primary School student being born and bred in Sydney, he “was the boy from the bush’’ who loved visiting his grandparents in Coonabarabran and Binnaway in the state’s central west.

“You can take the boy from the bush but you can’t take the bush from the boy,’’ Mr Brooks said.

“He loved country music and the stock whip I bought him.’’

Ike Brooks loved being outdoors.

Ike played for the Greystanes Devils Junior Rugby League Club until he was 15 and his teammates declared that the “devil is now an angel”.

In a Facebook post, the club said he was part of two premiership-winning teams at the Devils, a club he joined after starting his junior footy at the OLQP Bulldogs.

“He is remembered as an amazing young man and friend to all,’’ the post read.

“The Devils family sends our condolences to Ike’s family and friends. Gone too soon.’’

Ms Brooks said about 1200 mourners attended her son’s funeral at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church at Greystanes, which only has capacity for 800 people.

Ike’s former classmates from Parramatta Marist High School formed a guard of honour for their much-loved mate.

Mr Brooks also thanked the generosity of the community, particularly a woman who bought 30 McDonald’s hamburgers to the vigil for mourners.

Ike is survived by his parents, his stepfather Steve Fox and his two sisters Jaz, 18, and Billie, 11.

Cumberland police are investigating the crash and a report is being prepared for the coroner.