Chris Browne, Lincoln Browne: Father accused of culpable driving following toddler’s death

A young father is accused of culpable driving after his son died in a tragic ATV incident on Christmas Day at a Barnawartha North property.

A young father is accused of culpable driving after a tragic incident in which his son was killed on Christmas Day.

Christopher Browne, 31, appeared at Wodonga Magistrates’ Court on Thursday charged with the incident at his Barnawartha North property, near the Victorian-NSW border.

Police allege Browne was driving an all-terrain vehicle at his Moss Rd property last year when it rolled.

His son Lincoln, 2, was a passenger and was allegedly thrown from the vehicle. He died at the scene.

The tragedy rocked the community at the time with the little boy remembered as a “beautiful son” and loving brother.

Lincoln Browne, 2, was killed on Christmas Day.

A GoFundMe page launched for the family — including Lincoln’s mother and Christopher’s wife — raised more than $53,000 to help pay for funeral and memorial costs.

His wife was believed to be supporting him outside court on Thursday.

“He always had a smile on his face and was loved dearly by his family and friends,” the fundraiser said.

“He was a beautiful son, loving brother and cousin, nephew and grandson.”

The Wodonga Basketball Association – which the family had been involved with for several years — also posted a tribute on Facebook saying “You are all in our thoughts at this extremely sad time”.

Mr Browne’s bail will continue.

He will return to Wodonga Magistrates’ Court on October 14.