Kangaroo Flat father killed in fatal Lockwood crash: ‘His baby boy will grow up without a daddy’

A 29-year-old Kangaroo Flat man killed in a fatal crash on Saturday night had only just become a father to a son with his highschool sweetheart.

Kangaroo Flat father John Bergman died at the scene of a two-vehicle crash in Lockwood on Saturday January 30, 2021. Picture: Contributed.

A six-week-old baby boy will never get to know his father, but friends and family members of John Bergman will share stories of a caring, adventurous and playful man.

The 29-year-old Kangaroo Flat man died at the scene of a two-vehicle collision on Lockwood Road just after 9.30pm on Saturday, January 30.

Cousin Sarah Benbow said Mr Bergman was born to be a father.

“It was his dream,” Ms Benbow said.

“He was amazing with kids.

“My heart is broken — he was the best daddy anyone could have hoped for.”

After 13 years together Mr Bergman and his teenage sweetheart, Sarah Keast, had given birth to a beautiful baby boy only six weeks ago.

“He was so attached to him,” Ms Benbow said.

She said before the crash Mr Bergman had been proudly sharing the news that his son had grown into his triple-zero baby clothes.

“He was so proud because he was growing so quickly,” she said.

Ms Benbow said it was heart breaking that Mr Bergman would never be able to share his love of fishing, camping and football with his son.

She said the family was struggling to comprehend the loss.

Mr Bergman and Ms Keast were living with his mother and father in Bendigo as they settled into their new roles, as parents and grandparents.

His older sister, Annemarie Bergman, said he would be missed by many.

“The loss of our boy will change our lives forever,” Ms Bergman said.

“His laughter and jokes will be remembered forever.”

Kangaroo Flat father John Bergman died at the scene of a two-vehicle crash in Lockwood on Saturday January 30, 2021. Picture: Contributed.

Ms Benbow broke down in tears when she thought of breaking the news of Mr Bergman’s death to her brother, who is handicapped.

Always able to bring joy to her family, Ms Benbow said her cousin would often drive her brother around the countryside or play games with her son.

“My boy will miss playing football with him,” she said.

Ms Benbow set up a Go Fund Me page to help her family prepare for the funeral and help support Mr Bergman’s young family.

“Not only will his baby boy grow up without a daddy, his partner and family are going to need our help,” she said.

The fundraiser aims to raise $10,000 to his family pay for the funeral and recover from the tragedy.

Police are continuing their investigation into the cause of the crash, which also injured a female driver in her 40s.

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said the woman had minor injuries and was taken to Bendigo Hospital in a stable condition.

To donate visit the Go Fund Me page here. 

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@ZiziAverill