Cohen Griggs-Bufton: Sister of teen, 16, killed in Bayview ute crash pleads with drivers to be careful on our roads

The heartbroken sister of a Sydney teenager who died when a ute carrying six boys slammed into a tree has pleaded with drivers to be “more mindful of the people you are driving around”.

The heartbroken sister of a teenager who died when a ute carrying six boys slammed into a tree on the northern beaches has pleaded with drivers to be careful and “more mindful of the people you are driving around”.

As part of a loving tribute to her 16-year-old little brother Cohen, Sequioa Griggs-Bufton, also called on all drivers to keep to the road rules.

“It’s for your safety and others,” she wrote in her Instagram post.

Cohen was in the front passenger seat of the Toyota HiLux that speared off Cabbage Tree Rd at Bayview just after midnight on Saturday.

The popular Narrabeen Sports High School student died several hours later in Royal North Shore Hospital.

Cohen Griggs-Bufton, 16, who died when a ute hit a tree at Bayview on Saturday, pictured with his older sister Sequioa, who has pleaded with drivers to be more careful and be more “mindful of the people you are driving around”. Picture: Instagram (Coya)

Ms Griggs-Bufton’s tribute comes as friends of the family set up a fundraising campaign to help pay for Cohen’s funeral.

The GoFundMe target was $20,000, but it had already raised $28,000 by noon on Tuesday from a total of 499 separate donations.

In her tribute to her brother Ms Griggs-Bufton mad a direct pleas to all drivers.

“I honestly just want to say that anyone who has a license, or is on the way to getting one, please be careful, please be mindful of the people you are driving around.

Cohen Griggs-Bufton was “like a shot of caffeine” in his sister’s life. Picture: Supplied

“They have people, and you have people, who want you home.

“Please keep to the rules. It’s for your safety & others.”

She also wrote that her brother was “like a shot of caffeine” in her life.

“You would lighten up a room with, no fail, doing something stupid or funny — really just being yourself.

“Just do me a favour and keep your siblings close, hang out with them … It’s hard to have someone you’ve had around you your whole life suddenly go.

“As an older sister to see my little brother go so soon, thinking about all the things we’ve done all the things we should’ve done together, makes me absolutely heartbroken.”

Flowers and tributes left at the crash scene on Cabbage Tree Road, Bayview on Saturday. Picture: Damian Shaw

The 17-year-old ute driver is still in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital at Camperdown where he was flown by helicopter on Saturday. His family asked hospital authorities not to release details of his condition.

Four boys travelling in the back seat – one aged 16 and three aged 17 – were taken to Royal North Shore Hospital suffering a variety of injuries including fractures. Their families requested hospital officials not to release details of their conditions.

Emergency services at the crash scene. Pix supplied

The NSW Police Crash Investigation Unit is examining the cause of the incident. Police could not confirm that they have spoken to the driver yet.

No charges have been laid.

On Saturday, Northern Beaches Police commander, Pat Sharkey said that the issues of speed, road conditions, and whether alcohol or drugs were involved, would form part of the investigation.

Superintendent Sharkey said there were five seat belts in the ute that was carrying the six teens.