Tributes flow for Wynnum student Declan Phillips, killed on his walk to school

Tributes have flowed for a 14-year-old boy who was killed as he walked to school at Wynnum this week.

Declan Phillips died on Wednesday after he was hit by a Mitsubishi Pajero near the notoriously low Wynnum Rail Bridge, known colloquially as the “Duck Bridge”.

With a clearance of just 1.9 metres, it is the lowest bridge in Brisbane.

Declan Phillips died on Wednesday, aged 14.Credit: Wynnum Wolves FC

Declan was a student at nearby Wynnum State High School and played for the Wynnum Wolves Football Club.

Family friend Lisa Axam, who has started a GoFundMe page for funeral costs, said Declan died on a walk to school that he did every day.

She remembered him as a talented mathematician and woodworker, who loved camping, collecting model cars, Lego engineering and fitness.

“Declan had such a promising, bright future,” she said.

Flowers are left on the roundabout where Declan Phillips died, not far from the notorious bridge.Credit: Joan Pease

“Recently he made a camping stool out of canvas and wood and was looking forward to presenting it to his mum Lily for her birthday this weekend. He was also looking forward to making a wooden racing car in woodwork next term.

“He will be dearly missed by his friends and the whole Wynnum State High School community as well as all his friends outside the school, family and the wider Wynnum community.”

On Thursday night, Declan’s football club posted a tribute to him.

“The Wynnum Wolves Football Club community will open its arms and hearts for the Phillips family this weekend following the devastating loss of their son Declan in a traffic accident in Wynnum this week,” the club posted.

The club will accept donations on the family’s behalf during weekend matches to help assist the family, and all players will wear black armbands.

The Pajero’s driver, a 17-year-old boy, and two passengers, a 41-year-old woman and 16-year-old boy, were not hurt.

Any witnesses or people with dashcam or CCTV footage from the area have been urged to contact police.

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