Loo5enats spectator Trent DeZoete, 18, fatally hit by car at Stawell competition

A promising young footballer is being remembered for his larrikin spirit and passion for Aussie Rules after he was fatally struck by a car at a burnout competition in Stawell.

Trent DeZoete died at a popular burnout competition in the state's west. Picture: Supplied

A promising young footballer is being remembered for his larrikin spirit and passion for Aussie rules after his untimely death at a burnout event in the state’s west.

Trent DeZoete, 18, was allegedy struck by a vehicle competing at the popular annual burnout competition Loo5enats in Stawell on Saturday afternoon.

It is alleged the vehicle lost control while on the burnout pad as its throttle locked up and brakes failed, sending the vehicle into the food court area where Mr DeZoete stood.

He died at the scene as a result of his injuries.

The talented athlete, a beloved member of Pimpinio Football and Netball Club since he was a young boy, celebrated his 18th birthday in July.

Trent DeZoete, 18, died after he was struck by a competing vehicle at Loo5enats in Stawell. Picture: Facebook

Club president Jock Baker told the Herald Sun that Mr DeZoete was a much-loved member who wore always his “heart on his sleeve”.

“(He) could be heard from one end of the field to the other. He played with a real passion and emotion and gave all he could,” Mr Baker said.

“Trent played all his football with PFNC, from Auskick through to senior football, he was a true larrikin and very loveable person who will be greatly missed by all.”

Touching images shared to the club’s social media last year showed the teen - an accomplished premiership player - being awarded the Under 17s Spirit of Football Award.

Attendee Josh Wilson, who was stood near Mr DeZoete, took to social media speaking of his horror as the vehicle hurtled towards spectators, forcing parents and children to jump to safety.

“I was standing in front of him, tried to reach out and pull him away but unfortunately it all happened so fast, all I could do was help remove the car and make sure the key was off,” he said.

Trent DeZoete was a beloved lifetime member of the Pimpinio Football and Netball Club. Picture: Facebook

The young man was was part of the premiership winning club since he started Auskick. Picture: Facebook

Vision from the annual two-day event, cancelled in the wake of Mr DeZoete’s death, showed two crews of paramedics arrive at the scene as bystanders raced to assist.

Attendee Samantha Smithson later took to social media to question the event’s site layout, saying she feared a spectator would be injured.

“The exit is right next to the food vans and the only way to watch the skid is to be walking right past the exit where the cars are coming off the pad,” she said.

“The driver had no brakes and couldn’t stop.”

Ms Smithson said the exit from the burnout pad was in previous years located opposite the food court area, away from event-goers.

Trent DeZoete, 18, was struck by a vehicle competing at the popular annual burn-out competition Loo5enats in Stawell. Picture: Supplied

“Not even 10 minutes beforehand I said the way this has been changed and the set-up is absolutely ridiculous and I’m surprised no one has been seriously hurt,” she said.

It is understood the event site’s set-up will form part of the police investigation.

A spokesman for Stawell Motor Sport Club addressed the tragic loss in a statement shared to social media on Sunday evening.

“It is with a heavy heart that Stawell Motor Sports Club wishes to confirm that a young spectator who attended yesterday’s Loosenats event has sadly passed away,” he said.

“Event organisers are deeply saddened by this tragic accident that occurred and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the young man during this difficult time.”

The driver of the competing vehicle, a 28-year-old Wendouree man, was later arrested and released without charges, pending further inquiries.

Investigators are working to determine the circumstances around the crash and have urged anyone who witnessed the incident or with footage to contact CrimeStoppers.