Tributes flow for Joe Hank Fraser after Lidcombe motorbike death
Family and friends of a ‘humble man’ who died after he fell off his motorbike in Sydney’s west have paid tribute to the beloved son and mate.
Parramatta
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Lidcombe man Joe Fraser was on his way to visit one of his army of mates on Saturday when police allege an SUV clipped the back of his motorbike at Parramatta Rd in a crash which claimed his life.
Emergency services were called to the Lidcombe site, near the intersection of Nyrang St, after the Toyota Prado allegedly knocked the 26-year-old concreter off the trail bike shortly before 3pm.
Mr Fraser, who often went by the nickname Henga after his middle name Hank, was rushed to Westmead Hospital where he died shortly later.
The popular man’s devastated father, Tim, was informed about the death of his only child on Sunday, and raised his “well-mannered’’ son as a single parent.
“We were very, very, very close — inseparable,’’ he said.
“He was me and I was him. I put my heart and soul into that child. He was so loved.’’
In return, his kind-hearted son turned into a young man of whom he was proud.
“He loved everyone,’’ Mr Fraser said.
“He was a great, great kid — happy go lucky, a hard worker.’’
The former St Joachim’s and Trinity Catholic College student loved fishing, playing Oztag, music and had a knack for rapping.
He also loved riding motorbikes and cars.
“He loved driving his four-wheel drive that he just fixed up,'’ Mr Fraser said.
“He loved life and his mates. He had so much to live for and was in the prime of his life. He was on top of the world. He was a champion. I said ‘if you can find yourself a woman, have a kid, I’ll be happy’.
“I should have went first but he did. Like they say, the good die young. He wasn’t good, he was great. He made me such a proud father.’’
Joe Anjoul, whose son Michael was Joe’s best mate, said he was on his way to visit him and his child on Saturday.
“He was very, very good with the kids,’’ Mr Anjoul said.
He admired Joe and gave him the nickname Snoop Dogg after his resemblance to the rapper.
“He was a very, very nice person, humble,’’ Mr Anjoul said.
“He did anything for anybody when they asked. He was a gentleman. He loved life. He was the life of the party.
“All I can think of is his smile, his laughter, his jokes.’’
Auburn police – who were on the opposite side of Parramatta Rd on an unrelated matter at the time – rendered first aid at the scene, before he was taken to Westmead Hospital.
The 18-year-old Guildford West woman driving the SUV was arrested and taken to Auburn Hospital for mandatory testing.
The P-plater was then taken to Auburn police station, where she was charged with negligent driving occasioning death.
She was granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on May 13.
Her bail conditions specify she is not to occupy the driver’s seat of any vehicle.
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