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Felix Durston dead: Gisborne teen killed outside Mt Macedon church in car crash

A Gisborne teen has been remembered as a valiant friend after he was killed in car crash outside a Mt Macedon church.

Gisborne teenager Felix Durston with friend. Picture: Facebook
Gisborne teenager Felix Durston with friend. Picture: Facebook

A teen killed outside a small town church has been remembered as a cheeky jokester and a valiant friend.

Felix Durston died after his car smashed into tree on Mount Macedon Rd, at 8.45pm on Thursday.

About a dozen mourners attended a vigil on Friday evening, where flowers and painted hearts were placed at the tree where he died next to Centennial Park.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said the 18-year-old Gisborne teen was alone in his car when it hit the tree in the small town between Bendigo and Melbourne.

They said the teen was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mourners farewelled Felix Durston at a small vigil on Mount Macedon Rd. Picture: Zizi Averill
Mourners farewelled Felix Durston at a small vigil on Mount Macedon Rd. Picture: Zizi Averill

Anglican Parish of Gisborne Father Dennis Webster said he heard the horrific sounds of the deadly crash outside and was among the first responders at the scene.

Father Webster said Felix’s death had devastated the tight-knit community, with many struggling to comprehend the loss of the young man.

“The phone hasn’t stopped ringing,” Father Webster said.

“They’re just trying to make sense of it all.”

Mr Durston’s girlfriend, Charlize Mumford, 16, wept as she laid flowers and watched the sunset surrounded by some of Mr Durston’s Gisborne Secondary College schoolmates.

Ms Mumford said she had told Felix goodnight only minutes before the deadly crash.

“The police were at my home … they told me he had an accident and I fell apart,” Ms Mumford said.

Mourners at Felix Durston vigil on Mount Macedon Rd. Picture: Zizi Averill
Mourners at Felix Durston vigil on Mount Macedon Rd. Picture: Zizi Averill

“I thought he was in the hospital, but then my mum said he was gone.

“He really is a beautiful person … he would do anything for anyone.

“If he was doing something and one of his friends needed he would say, ‘I’ll nip out and check on him’.”

“He was loved by so many.”

She said “perfect” was the only word that could describe Mr Durston.

Mr Durston’s friend Tahlia Kendall, 19, laughed as she wiped away tear to said: “He was an absolute pain in the arse, but f — k everyone loved him.”

“He was always trying to make people laugh,” Ms Kendall said.

Mr Durston’s mother Vanessa Meredith visited her son’s memorial but said she was not ready to speak about her loss.

Victoria Police are now investigating the fatal crash, with the exact circumstances yet to be determined.

Officers will prepare a report for the coroner.

zizi.averill@news.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/bendigo/felix-durston-dead-gisborn-teen-killed-outside-mt-macedon-church-in-car-crash/news-story/9593812dd1069ed1be00362460852792