Dale Furley and 11-year-old son Paddy identified as victims of Denial Bay motorbike crash

A West Coast community is rallying behind an 11-year-old boy, who is in hospital with serious injuries after a crash that claimed the life of his dad.

The Ceduna community is rallying around 11-year-old Paddy Furley following the loss of his father and “number one supporter”.

Dale Furley, 53, of neighbouring township Thevenard, died in a motorcycle crash on the state’s west coast; the pillion passenger on his Harley Davidson Paddy is in hospital with serious injuries.

It is understood that Paddy’s grandmother and uncle have travelled to Adelaide to be at his bedside.

The Advertiser also understands Mr Furley was a single father and much-loved member of the tight-knit Ceduna community.

Paddy Furley. Picture: Facebook

Dale Furley. Picture: LinkedIn

Mr Furley worked as a ranger program co-ordinator for the Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation and was also a member of the South West Australian Marine Parks Advisory Committee.

A student at Ceduna Area School, Paddy is also a promising member of Far West Little Athletics.

“Devastating Stay strong Paddy, it was very clear your Dad absolutely loved you and always will even from afar now,” a family friend Ainsley Kloeden posted on Facebook, adding: “So hard to comprehend the loss but my thoughts will always be with this young man while he navigates life without his number one supporter.”

Among those also paying tribute on Facebook was Mr Furley’s cousin Rachel Richards who wrote: “Never take your life for granted and tell your loved ones that you love them every day, because it can end in an blink of an eye Rip Cuz xx.”

Melissa Singline also shared her sorrow, writing: “My heart is broken, such a wonderful father, son, family member and a great friend.”

Police were called to the crash at Denial Bay, about 14km west of Ceduna, on Saturday just after 6pm after reports a motorcycle had crashed after losing control around a bend.

The injured boy was taken to the Women's and Children's Hospital in North Adelaide. Picture: File

Mr Furley was killed in the crash and Paddy was taken to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Denial Bay Rd was closed between Carpenter Corner Rd and Thiselton Way while Major Crash investigated.

Mr Furley’s death is the 65th on SA roads in 2023, compared with 40 at the same time last year, and the 11th motorcycle fatality this year.

It follows another fatal crash on Friday. A bus driver died moments after exiting his vehicle in Port Augusta on Friday afternoon.

Police believe he parked the bus and, after getting out, the vehicle rolled forward and hit him.

Originally published as Dale Furley and 11-year-old son Paddy identified as victims of Denial Bay motorbike crash