Luke Bridge, 19, killed in Deniliquin crash remembered as ‘extraordinary’ and ‘full of love’

A young man tragically killed after his car hit a tree has been remembered as an extraordinary person who could do everything from sewing a button to fixing a car.

Deniliquin’s Luke Bridge was only 19 when he was tragically killed in a crash last Sunday. Picture: Michelle Bridge

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A teen who was tragically killed in a car crash in the region’s southwest has been remembered as “an extraordinary young man” who was “smart and full of love”.

At about 8.30pm on Sunday, emergency services were called to Moonee Swamp Road, Deniliquin, after reports of a single car crash.

Police officers found the car had crashed into a tree and despite attempts to revive 19-year-old Luke Bridge, he died at the scene.

Michelle Bridge, step mother of Mr Bridge since he was six years old, said her step son was “smart and full of love”.

“He touched many, many lives with happiness and helpfulness. He was always the first to offer help in any way and he loved his brothers and sisters with a fierce loyalty,” she said.

Mrs Bridge, who lives in Deniliquin, also described him as being “capable of doing anything from sewing a button to fixing a car”.

“Despite his own weaknesses, he would offer advice and support to anyone from a baby to the elderly,” she said.

“He worked hard. Everybody who came in contact with Luke left him feeling better about themselves and their lives. I miss him with every breath and will until God takes me too.”

Mr Bridge went to Rutherford Technology High School near Newcastle before moving back to Deniliquin to work in pest control.

Emergency services were called to the crash about 8.30pm on Sunday. Picture: File

Following the crash, officers established a crime scene and inquiries are continuing.

Funeral arrangements for Mr Bridge are being finalised. His tragic death is third in recent weeks.

Sydney man Milan Jukic was killed while he was a passenger as part of the Riverina Redneck Rally while Coleambally’s Ella Painting died after her car crashed into a tree on her way to Wagga.

In February, Temora’s Bronson Block was remembered by his family as “well loved by the community” after his car left a road before hitting a tree.

Across the state, 68 lives have been lost to date this year, Transport for NSW statistics show. This time last year, it was 86.