Family and friends push for name change of Palm Beach artificial reef for tribute of surfer
Family and friends of a man who died in a car accident two weeks ago are hoping the community will agree to a special gesture in memory of the popular young surfer.
Gold Coast
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FAMILY and friends of a young man who died in a horrific car accident on the Gold Coast are holding a paddle out in his honour tomorrow during which they will be calling for a name change of the Palm Beach artificial reef.
Luke ‘Chippa’ Hansen, 25, was killed after being hit by a car at Doubleview Street in Elanora on Sunday June 16.
Mr Hansen and his mate Dalton Baker, 25, were both struck by the vehicle.
FAMILY AND FRIENDS REMEMBER GOLD COAST CRASH VICTIM LUKE HANSEN
Mr Baker suffered from “significant” head, pelvic and hip injuries and is understood to still be recovering in the Intensive Care Unit at Gold Coast University Hospital.
Mr Hansen died at the scene.
His friends and family will host a paddle out in front of Tallebudgera Surf Club tomorrow at 10am.
Bill Morrison, a friend of Mr Hansen’s father, said changing the name of the reef would be a good way to remember him.
“There are so many young men in the community who are grieving,” Mr Morrison said.
PEDESTRIAN KILLED, ANOTHER INJURED AFTER CAR ALLEGEDLY HITS PEDESTRIANS IN ELANORA
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“We thought it would be nice, as a way to remember Luke, to change the name of the Palm Beach artificial reef. His mates called him Chippa, so we thought it would be a good way to remember him by changing it Chippa’s Reef.”
Mr Morrison has made up signs which friends and family of Mr Hansen will be taking offshore with them.
“We want to ask the council to get behind the community,” he said.
“That way when his mates head out for a surf they can say they are ‘going to catch a wave with Chippa’.
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