Raymond Russell: Grieving friends and family pay tribute to ‘one of a kind’

Friends and family of teenager Raymond Russell have expressed their heartfelt grief over his untimely death following a tragic car accident west of Kempsey on Wednesday.

Friends and family of a young man killed in a tragic road accident near Kempsey on Wednesday have taken to social media to honour his life.

Raymond Russell, aged just 18, died in single-vehicle crash on Wednesday after his car left the road and hit a tree near Sherwood west of Kempsey.

Emergency services were called to Gowings Hills Rd, Sherwood, at about 9:30am after reports of a crash.

Friends and family have farewelled Raymond Russell. Pic Facebook

Officers from Mid North Coast Police District attended and found a Holden Commodore had crashed into a tree.

Raymond, who was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, died at the scene.

A crime scene was established and inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash continue.

In a post published to Facebook on Wednesday, Jason Russell said he was going to miss the memories he shared with ‘his little brother’ and the times they won’t get to spend together in the future.

Raymond Russell died after his car crashed into a tree near Kempsey on Wednesday. Pic Facebook

“Gone but never forgotten my little brother,” he wrote

“I’m gonna miss the memories we shared because they were special. I looked up to you because you had no fear, gonna [sic] miss all the time I didn’t get to spend with you and the children I didn’t get to see you make.

“I’m so proud of you Ray, how far you came and how you turned your life around for the better – you really was [sic] one of a kind.”

The sentiment in Jason’s words were shared by Tanisha Russell, whose memories of ‘Crazy Ray’ she said she will ‘cherish forever.’

Raymond Russell died along Gowings Rd at Sherwood, West of Kempsey. Pic Google maps.

“I’m going to miss you so much crazy Ray,” she wrote.

“Never did I ever think I’d lose my Big Brother … I keep telling myself it’s not real. I just wanna [sic] hug you and tell you how much I love you one last time.

“I’ll forever cherish our memories and all the little things we used to do together.”

Shantel Faulkner said she felt ‘lost’ after hearing the ‘heartbreaking’ news.

“You left a big impact on my life and everyone around you,” she wrote. “I’m going to miss you little brother, keep a cold one chilled for me.”

A report into the circumstances surrounding Raymond’s death will now be prepared for the coroner.