Casino car crash: Promising rugby player, 17, dies after hitting tree
A teenage boy who died after his car hit a tree in the state’s Northern Rivers region has been remembered as a “wonderful lad” who loved playing footy and “always had a smile on his face.”
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A community in the state’s Northern Rivers region has been shattered by the death of a teenage boy, who has been remembered as an “amazing bloke” and “a wrecking ball on the footy field.”
Promising young footballer Jaylan Stewart was driving down a rural road in Casino just before 3pm on Saturday when his BMW veered off the road and crashed into a tree.
Emergency workers who were called to Ellangowan Road tried to save the teen, but he died at the scene.
The St John’s College Year 11 student has been remembered as a “wonderful lad” and a “gorgeous boy” who loved playing rugby.
“Jaylan was an amazing bloke to everyone. Always had a smile on his face and always helped people out,” school friend Gabe Forzan told The Daily Telegraph.
“He was a wrecking ball on the footy field and a good sportsman. He had an amazing connection with his teammates.”
Another friend, Aspen Hall, said Jaylan was a “gorgeous boy who had such a kind heart.”
“He was just loved by everyone,” she said.
Jaylan’s grieving family received an outpouring of love and support online after his mother Kirsty posted a photo of the pair on Facebook.
“My heart breaks for you Kirsty, Mick & Keisha. Our Deepest Sympathies. Sending all our love,” Trina Furchtman wrote.
“Oh Kirsty, Michael and Keisha, I am so, so sorry to hear this. I cannot fathom the pain you are in right now. My love and prayers are with you,” Julie-Anne Kempton wrote.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
The tragedy occurred shortly after another death on NSW roads this long weekend, with a 31-year-old motorcyclist fatally struck by a 4WD in the state’s northwest about 12.45pm on Saturday.
The man fell from his bike on Killarney Gap Road in Narrabri after colliding with the car, which was carrying a caravan, police say.
Despite the efforts of paramedics, the rider died.
Further south, a woman was killed when a car she was travelling in plunged into a gully after colliding with a truck in the Snowy Mountains on Friday.
The woman was a passenger in a black Commodore station wagon travelling south on the Snowy Mountains Highway ahead of the public holiday weekend, when it hit a tipper truck with a dog trailer in tow about 4.30pm.
The driver of the Commodore, a 67-year-old woman, became trapped when it was pushed into the gully and her passenger died at the scene.
Emergency workers managed to free the driver and she was airlifted to hospital, police say.
“The driver of the truck, a 23-year-old man, was not injured. He was taken to Cooma Hospital for mandatory testing,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.