Shattered family grapples with loss of boy killed in e-scooter crash

The heartbroken Far North Queensland family of a boy killed in an e-scooter crash are mourning the loss of a dearly loved child who is being remembered for his kindness, respect and generosity.

Irene Wheeler, Lynette Clyne and Delphina Miles, the grandmother, mother and grandmother of Edward Miles respectively grieve his death in the front yard of the family home in Mareeba. Picture: Brendan Radke

The heartbroken Far North Queensland family of a boy killed in an e-scooter crash are mourning the loss of a dearly loved child who is being remembered for his kindness, respect and generosity.

It’s understood Edward Wheeler, 12, was riding down Strattmann St, Mareeba on Tuesday night when he crashed into a parked Mitsubishi Triton.

Multiple paramedic units attended the crash and began CPR but the boy could not be saved.

Grandmother Irene Wheeler said Edward never came home on Tuesday, and police visited on Wednesday asking her to identify the 12-year-old from a morgue photo.

“And I said ‘what’ and I was running mad,” she said.

Police officer Senior Sergeant Scott Ezzard of the Forensic Crash Unit wheels an electric scooter into the Mareeba police station, following the death of a local boy in a scooter crash on Strattmann Street, Mareeba. Picture: Brendan Radke

The year 7 Mareeba State High School student had received the e-scooter at Christmas and relatives insisted the personal mobility device didn’t go faster than 20km/h.

Other family members said Edward had another relative that lived on Strattmann St who was visited by the boy moments before his death.

Ms Wheeler said she had raised the boy from six-months-old.

“He was a good boy, he always stayed at home and never went anywhere, and this is so out of character,” she said. 

“He loved playing with his friends, playing rough sports and he did a bit of boxing, he was a rough kid but he loved it.

Scene of a fatal scooter crash at Strattman Street, Mareeba where a 17 year old boy crashed into a parked utility late on Tuesday night, and died from his injuries. Police markings and blood stains on the road where the crash happening. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I taught him respect and to respect his elders, he was never a nasty kid and I brought him up the proper way.”

A large group of friends and relatives on Wednesday afternoon gathered at the Pares St family home to mourn.

In a heartbreaking scene, those closest to Edward could be heard crying out in anguish while young children ran around the front yard oblivious to distress.

Family members of Edward Miles, Frank Banjo and Shaqelle Banjo inspect the location where the 12-year-old Mareeba boy crashed his scooter into a parked utility on Strattmann Street. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cousins of Edward, Shaqelle Banjo, with his father Frank and Delphina Miles, visited the scene of the crash on Wednesday to try to understand how the boy died.

Mr Banjo, who works as a cultural support officer at the high school, made it clear Edward was not a troublesome boy, and had never had contact with the youth justice system. 

He said the family was in shock and was yet to fully come to terms with what happened.

The death has deeply impacted his peer group who were wanting to know why their mate Eddy was not at school on Wednesday morning.

Irene Wheeler, Lynette Clyne and Delphina Miles, the grandmother, mother and grandmother of Edward Miles. Picture: Brendan Radke

“’Where’s Eddy, where’s Eddy’ they were saying,” Mr Banjo said.

“I had to go into the school this morning because the boys were running a big amok.

“They are sad and they are really angry.

“He was a really kind kid and he never messed up, the other kids were stealing but he has never been one of them.”

The Cairns Post has chosen not to use a photo of Edward at the request of the family. 

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Originally published as Shattered family grapples with loss of boy killed in e-scooter crash