Tributes flow for Ryley Ziebell, killed in electric bike accident at Diamond Creek
A 14-year-old boy killed while riding his electric bike in Melbourne’s northeast has been remembered as a basketball obsessed teen with “the sweetest soul”.
The family of the 14-year-old boy killed while riding an electric bike have remembered him as a “beautiful natured boy” who was “incredibly loved” by so many.
Ryley Ziebell died after his e-bike collided with a 4WD in a horror crash on Chute St in Diamond Creek about 10pm on Monday.
Distraught loved ones said the year 9 student loved basketball and had the “sweetest soul”.
“Ryley was a beautiful natured boy who was incredibly loved and will be sadly missed,” his family said in a statement.
“We ask our privacy is respected at this very difficult and sad time.”
Close friend Mika spent more than nine hours with Ryley before the incident on Monday, describing her friend as “one of the best people I’ve ever met”.
“He was really easy to talk to, I could talk to him about anything for hours,” she said.
“He would help me with everything and was great to my parents too.
“This morning I didn’t know if it was real or not because I got a bunch of texts from all his friends asking if he was at my house, because his location was still at my house from yesterday.
“We went to his house this morning and I got to hug his family and say goodbye.
“It’s going to be really hard for them.
“His brother and his parents, even his grandparents and cousins, everyone was there.”
Friends said Ryley, who was 6’3 and had just finished year nine at St Helena Secondary College at Eltham North, loved playing basketball and riding his e-bike.
He always made a note to wear his helmet, they said.
Principal Karen Terry said the wider school community was “deeply saddened” by the sudden death of the year 9 student.
She said the school had decided to bring fellow year 9 students back from a camp at Mt Eliza earlier than planned due to the “difficult circumstances”.
“This is a great shock to our school community,” she wrote in a letter to parents.
“Ryley was full of zest, a young man just starting to find his place and pathway in life who will be mourned by his many friends, his classmates, and teachers here at St Helena.”
Police were called to Chute St around 10pm on Monday after reports of the collision.
Paramedics treated Ryley at the scene but he could not be saved.
The 22-year-old driver of the 4WD, an Eltham North man, was interviewed by police and has been released pending further inquiries.
Diamond Creek locals expressed anguish over the death.
Young mother Chloe, who lives close to the Chute St intersection where the collision occurred, said e-bikes were common in the area.
“I heard about (the accident) this morning, someone said a boy was hit on a scooter,” she said.
“I wasn’t too surprised, we hear scooters and e-bikes coming down here nearly every single night.
“It’s devastating for the family, especially so close to Christmas as well.”
Another local couple said they witness e-bikes on the streets most nights.
“It’s a sad situation all around,” they said.
“I feel sorry for the driver and the parents. These kids have been taking really big risks.”
Victoria Police officers were expected to address the teenager’s friends of the dangers of e-bikes on Tuesday evening.
Premier Jacinta Allan sent her “deepest sympathy” to the family on Tuesday.
“My thoughts are with the family of that young boy who has been tragically killed overnight,” she said.
“This is a time of great grief for this family.”
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Originally published as Tributes flow for Ryley Ziebell, killed in electric bike accident at Diamond Creek
