Rhys Morris, killed in Niagara Park car crash, tributes flow
The brave parents of much-loved Central Coast teenager Rhys Morris have returned to the scene of the car crash that killed him in Niagara Park to remember their “fun-loving” son.
Central Coast
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Kim and Brett Morris will never forget the woman who called them to tell them their 17-year-old son Rhys had been in a car accident at Niagara Park and it was “really bad”.
They said her call, in the early hours of Saturday morning, enabled them to spend precious minutes with their eldest son in the grounds of Pluim Park, Lisarow – where a helicopter had landed – before he succumbed to his injuries.
“As hard as it was to see Rhys in that state; I could hold his hand, I was there,” Kim said. “Rather than getting a phone call, or a knock on the door … We got to spend that time with him and I thank that lady so much. She’s changed our lives.”
Rhys’ parents beamed as they spoke about their son who was “fun-loving and a character” and was due to celebrate his 18th birthday in August.
“Even though his life was cut short, I’m glad he lived it to the fullest while he was here,” Kim said.
“We’re grateful for that.”
While they knew he was well-loved by mates from rugby league, skateboarding and Lisarow High School — where he attended until the end of Year 10 – his parents still said they were overwhelmed by the support they had received in recent days.
They were particularly touched by the memorial his friends had set up at the crash site, which they have visited a couple of times and read the dozens of messages.
Rhys was his Dad’s apprentice and the duo spent his final day working at a Toowoon Bay property and tucking into burgers and scallops for lunch, before a trip to the beach at the end of the day. Rhys then chatted to his mum by the pool at home before going out to meet up with mates, after copping a lighthearted ribbing from his parents about his choice of shirt.
The car’s driver Lleyton Van Spronssen, 18, of Ourimbah, faced Gosford Local Court via video link on Monday after he was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning death and grievous bodily harm and being a P1 driver aged under 25 driving at night with more than one passenger aged under 21.
But Kim and Brett said they didn’t hold any anger towards the driver on the fateful night.
“We know it’s not going to bring Rhys back,” Kim said.
“This kid has got a life to go through; he doesn’t need us on top of that.”
They remembered their son’s love of the outdoors and animals.
He had a pet goat and wanted a pig and chickens.
He also loved his French bulldog Leo who he shared photos of Snapchat telling his cousins the dog was a “chick magnet”.
Brett has been liaising with the Ourimbah Magpies rugby league club to organise counselling for Rhys’ friends.
“The club has been great, they’ve got it all prepared. I just need to say when and how many, and it’s done,” he said.
The family have been investigating funeral options and are leaning towards an open-air venue to accommodate as many people as possible under the current COVID-19 restrictions.