Wynnum State High School student dies after being hit by car at Tingal Rd, Wynnum

The parents of a 14-year-old Brisbane student who was killed in a tragic crash while walking to school have spoken for the first time, sharing a message for the driver who allegedly hit their son.

Declan Phillips was walking to school, like he did every day, when he was hit and killed in a tragic accident about 1km from his classroom on Wednesday morning.

Emergency services were called to reports a Mitsubishi Pajero had struck a pedestrian on Tingal Rd and Berrima St about 8.20am.

Declan Phillips.

Pictures: Supplied

Queensland Police are investigating the crash that killed the 14-year-old, a student of nearby Wynnum State High School.

The learner driver of the Pajero, a 17-year-old boy, and his two passengers – a 41-year-old woman and 16-year-old boy – were not injured.

On Friday, two days after the tragedy, the Phillips family broke their silence.

Declan’s parents, Lily and Daniel Phillips, released a statement offering support to the learner driver who allegedly hit their son.

“The pain we are feeling is unbearable but we don’t know how much worse it would be without the support we have had,” the statement read.

“We’re thankful for all of our family and friends who have surrounded us in love at this time.

“Thank you to the Wynnum community for all of your support and generosity. Declan has been a part of the community his whole life.

Students huddled together to remember their class mate on Thursday afternoon. Picture: Liam Kidston

“From community gardens and bushcare when he was younger, to Scouts, running with BSB and playing soccer at Bayside and Wolves, and his school community at Wynnum State School and Wynnum State High. Declan felt loved by all of these communities and continued to have lifelong bonds with the many people from them who cared for him.”

Declan’s parents thanked first responders and the community for the outpouring of support following the crash.

“Thank you so much to the people who responded to help Declan after the accident, we feel some comfort knowing he was looked after,” they said.

Declan Phillips, with his parents Lily and Daniel and his younger brother. Pic: Supplied.

“We have seen all the beautiful flowers at the roundabout where Declan passed. We would like to have a permanent memorial for Declan placed at the tree at some time.

“We feel for the driver and his family, he is only a little older than Declan. Declan was looking forward to learning to drive too. What happened to you both could have happened to anyone.”

A GoFundMe has been established by a family friend to help the devastated parents and younger brother of Declan, and has raised more than $50,000 since it was launched on Thursday afternoon.

“Declan had such a promising, bright future. He was skilled and talented in a wide array of areas, from speed cubing, running and maths through to woodwork and engineering,” it reads.

Declan Phillips.

“His younger brother and parents are still in deep shock, disbelief and grief. His chair which normally holds his school bag sits empty in the dining room.

“His hobbies, toys and iPad remain untouched. His room is quiet and still. All that can be heard in the family home are quiet voices and deep sobbing.

“Declan was a quiet achiever at school and somewhat shy, but when he set his mind to do something, he went all in and excelled.

“His favourite subjects were HPE and woodwork. Most 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.”

Students huddled together at the scene on Thursday afternoon. Picture: Liam Kidston

Outside his academic achievements, Declan had a gift for solving puzzles, particularly the Rubik’s cube, and regularly competed in events run by Speedcubing Australia under the World Cube Association.

His most recent event was the Brisbane Summer 2024 competition, where he reached the second round of the 3x3x3 event, placing 116th.

His fastest solve was just under 45 seconds, with an average time of 31.43 seconds.

A floral tribute near the crash site had grown in size on Thursday afternoon, with groups of students gathering at the area after school.

A car wedged under an overpass after the fatal crash.

Friends and classmates have taken to social media to pay tribute to the teen, many describing him as a “sweet boy”.

“I will always remember when we were little and we would play together. You had such a bright future, and you were so loved, I miss you already,” one friend wrote.

Another expressed regret over a falling out they had.

“I wish we made up sooner, you were such a good friend, and hearing that you died absolutely broke me. You were kind and funny and one of those people who would warm up to you once you hung out with someone a lot,” they wrote.

A third said it would feel strange not seeing him again.

“It’s going to feel so strange knowing you are not going to walk past there ever again. I know you are resting easy and God is taking care of you up there, you were the quietest but sweetest kid,” they wrote.

School students leave floral tributes at Tingal Rd and Berrima St, Wynnum. Picture: Liam Kidston

Wynnum Wolves Football Club president Rabieh Krayem, contributed $8000 towards the GoFundMe, as the club penned a tribute to the teen on social media and encouraged players to wear black armbands in honour of the former player.

“A junior player at our club in 2023 and 2024, Declan loved his time playing football at Wolves, and his younger brother Ryan is a current member of the club’s U10 Thor MiniRoos team,” the post read.

“On behalf of all Wynnum Wolves Football Club members, we are sending our sincere condolences to the Phillips family.”

In honour of Declan, a minute’s silence will be observed in matches across the weekend.

“In a tribute to Declan, Wynnum’s NPL Men’s team will observe a minute’s silence on Saturday night before their match against Peninsula Power, as will the Wynnum U10 Wolverine and Thor teams who play each other on Saturday afternoon at 12:30pm. There will be a minute’s silence across all games at Carmichael Park at that time,” the post read.

Wynnum State High School, in a letter to parents seen by The Courier-Mail, informed them of the tragedy involving the Year 9 student.

Principal Sandra Quinn said it was with a heavy heart that she regrettably shared the tragic news of the passing of one of their male students.

“The student was a much-loved year nine male student and valued member of our Wynnum State High School community,” she said.

“I know that you will join me in offering our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.

“As a tight-knit school community, we share our shock and sadness at the enormity of this situation.”

Emergency services at the scene of the crash. Picture: Tayla Couacaud

Ms Quinn said they will provide support and guidance counselling at the school and will ensure “everybody is cared for in the wake of this tragic event.”

A 4WD with L-plates in the window could be seen wedged underneath the rail bridge on Berrima Street.

Member for Lytton Joan Pease MP expressed her sadness over the crash that has rocked the Wynnum community.

“It’s heartbreaking for all those involved, the young person that sadly lost their life and also the driver of the other vehicle,” she said.

“A young kid just off to school, like he’s done every other morning, and a terrible incident like that happens and impacts him, his family, all of the school students, his mates at school.

“He was a very highly respected young student, a very diligent and hardworking young man.

“This has really rocked our community.”

Ms Pease, who decided to place flowers at the school, said she saw a student buying flowers, while she was in a store buying flowers herself.

“There was one of his fellow students at the shop buying flowers as well and they’re all very devastated, it’s heartbreaking,” she said.

Emergency services at the scene of a serious car and pedestrian accident at Wynnum on July 16. Picture: Tayla Couacaud

Ms Pease said she has offered her support for the community and that support is being offered for students that have been impacted by the tragedy.

“I’ve reached out to the school, and I’ve provided them support,” she said.

“I know that the high school has got support services that are going in today to just support the school, the staff and also students and I know the primary school are doing the same.

“I’ve spoken to the school community and offered my services in any way that I can during this very sad time, and I am more than happy to make some representations on their behalf.”

Ms Pease said members of the community are able to drop flowers and cards to her office at 100 Edith St, Wynnum up until 4pm this afternoon and she will co-ordinate the delivery of the flowers to the impacted schools.

A neighbour who lives across the street from where the crash happened said she heard sirens from the ambulance but did not see the crash.

The Wynnum Rail Bridge, better known as the “Duck Bridge”, is notorious for its ultra low 1.9m clearance, too short for most emergency vehicles. Wynnum has three rail bridges, with the tallest at just 2.8m.

In 2025, bridge strikes in Wynnum contributed to train delays and cancellations on four occasions.

Originally published as Wynnum State High School student dies after being hit by car at Tingal Rd, Wynnum