Daemarius Purcell-Appo, 11, remembered as ‘life of the party’

The parents of an 11-year-old boy killed in a ‘tragic’ incident in a supermarket car park just days before Christmas have spoken for the first time, remembering their son as ‘just perfect’.

Keshia Clayton’s eyes well up with tears when she remembers her “beautiful” son Daemarius Purcell-Appo.

“I’ve been crying for days,” she said.

Ms Clayton’s world was turned upside down on Tuesday when Daemarius, 11, was killed after being hit by a car outside the Moulden Supermarket.

Just days after arriving from Innisfail in Far North Queensland to visit his dying grandfather, Daemarius, or “Dae Dae”, was killed when a Dodge Ram ute “lurched forward” rather than reversing.

The vehicle pinned Daemarius, who celebrated his 11th birthday only six weeks ago, against the shop’s wall.

The parents of Daemarius Purcell-Appo have spoken for the first time. Picture: Supplied by family

Head of Major Crash Detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Lindner said the boy’s death was “tragic”.

“It’s a horrific incident, it’s a horrific death … toward the end of the year five days out from Christmas,” Sergeant Lindner said.

The parents of Daemarius Purcell-Appo said their boy’s spirit will be with them forever. Picture: Riley Walter

The driver, a 54-year-old man, allegedly tested positive to drugs after the incident and was taken into police custody before being released pending the outcome of a blood test.

No charges have been laid.

Daemarius as a newborn with his parents.

Daemarius had gone to the shops with his uncle Jermaine and some cousins to get hot chips for his family when the incident occurred.

Shortly after, Ms Clayton, who was nearby at a relative’s house, got a phone call she would never forget.

She rushed to the scene where she found her beloved son lying unconscious on the ground.

“I just thought everything was going to be okay,” Ms Clayton said recalling the horrific scene.

“I just kept thinking he’s going to be okay, he’s going to be okay.”

She then called Daemarius’s father Daniel Purcell-Appo who was still in Queensland with three of the couple’s six children, and the two prayed for their son.

Daemarius with his uncle and brother before his death. Picture: Supplied by family

But soon after, she was told by police she had lost her boy.

She and Mr Purcell-Appo’s tears soon turned to smiles remembering their first son, who was “just perfect”.

“He was just such a good kid,” Ms Clayton said.

“He was perfect in every way.

“From head to toe, he was perfect.”

“He wasn’t afraid to give anything a go,” Mr Purcell-Appo said.

“He was the life of the party.

“He had a heart of gold.

“He wasn’t just my son, he was my little best mate.”

Daemarius’s parents remembered their son’s love of rugby league and his dream to play for the North Queensland Cowboys like one of his idols, Johnathan Thurston.

The 11-year-old’s younger siblings each remembered him as a “good brother”, their “favourite” and a caring brother who would do anything for them.

Daemarius’s parents remembered the special relationship he had with his siblings and cousins. Picture: Supplied by family

Daemarius’s parents said they were overwhelmed by the community’s support in the wake of the tragedy.

Since Thursday, almost $20,000 has been donated to an online fundraiser to help Daemarius’s family with the costs of his funeral and transporting him back to Queensland.

“For the rest of my life I don’t think this feeling is going to go away,” Mr Purcell-Appo said.

But despite their grief, they know their son will always be with them.

“We don’t have his body, but we have his spirit,” Ms Clayton said.