Mourners farewell Qld motocross rider Joel Evans at Kingaroy funeral

Hundreds of mourners ignored the rain to say farewell talented motocross rider Joel Evans after his devastating death while competing interstate.

Hundreds of mourners ignored the rain to say goodbye to beloved motocross rider Joel Evans following his devastating death while racing in South Australia in April.

More than 400 family, friends, and community members crowded the Kingaroy Town Hall early Wednesday afternoon for a “celebration of life” for Mr Evans, who lived in the regional Queensland town in the South Burnett.

Music by The Pogues and Tom DeLonge played while the crowd quickly filled the hall, with people lining up along the sides of the room and spilling out of the foyer.

For two hours, the community gathered to remember the 30-year-old, whose love of motocross was so deep it became a family passion.

Mr Evans, 30, was killed while competing at the 2025 ProMX Championship at Gilman in South Australia on Sunday, April 27.

He was riding in the Mx1 Moto 2 when the crash happened about 3.20pm.

Joel Evans was due to become a father in October, with his fiance Michaela Hurt expecting their child. Picture: Instagram

The 30-year-old was treated trackside by paramedics for serious injuries before being taken to hospital, where he died later that night.

It was revealed in the days after the tragedy he was expecting to become a father.

A GoFundMe to support his fiancee and their unborn son “Freddy” raised more than $300,000 in the less than three weeks since its launch.

On Wednesday his fiance Michaela Hurt spoke about she and Joel were in the same class in Year 9, and how she would pass notes back and forth with a friend talking about how they both had a crush on him.

Hundreds of mourners ignored the rain to say goodbye to beloved motocross rider Joel Evans following his devastating death while racing in South Australia in April.

It wasn’t until a few years later when they finally starting dating, when the pair were still just teenagers.

“We were two kids trying to figure out who we were and we ended up falling in love at the same time,” she said.

“For years we questioned if it was true love – how do you know when you are so young and barely experienced life?

“But we chose to keep it simple. If we woke up and decided being with each other would make the day better, then that’s what we did.

“We woke up and chose each other every day and we grew together.”

His older sister Renae Ferris delivered the eulogy, and shared how Joel was the favourite – not just among his parents, but also the siblings.

“He was by far the easiest person to be around, to play with and hang out with. But the love that Joel had in his heart, that is the part I will miss the most,” she said.

Renae, who also raced until her late teens, shared fond memories of travelling to racing competitions with their dad almost every weekend, and sleeping together on a mattress in the back of their van, even when it was so cold that ice crept inside.

Celebrant Benjamin Carlyle leading the procession, as Joel’s close family and friends follow closely behind.

“We ended up creating such an extended family within the motocross community, many of whom are in this room today, and we are so grateful for you, your friendship and the memories that we have with you over the years.”

His mother, Maree Evans, took the stage with the support of her children and extended family, and spoke about how generous her son was.

She said he was sensitive to the pain and needs of others, and hated bullies and selfishness.

Through tears and laughter, she told the crowd how Joel didn’t care about money or material possessions, and would often try to give her or his dad money he had earnt.

Joel’s older sister, Renae Ferris, delivered the eulogy on Wednesday afternoon, sharing how Joel’s passion for motocross became “the glue that kept their family together” after their parents’ separated when they were young. Picture: YouTube

His younger sister, Alex Reardon, spoke about her incredibly close bond with her big brother, who felt “almost like a twin at times”.

“My big brother, my greatest protector, godfather to my babies, and my best friend,” she said.

She said her “vision of the future was blurry” and she didn’t know what life would look like without him, but promised to make him proud and to look after Michaela and Freddy.

The atmosphere, while sombre in remembrance, was one of love and admiration of Joel, with almost as many laughs heard as tears seen being wiped from people’s cheeks.

Just before the celebration officially came to an end, celebrant Benjamin Carlyle, who also officiated both of Joel’s sister’s weddings, asked the crowd to get to their feet and make some noise.

Mourners gathered inside and outside the Kingaroy Town Hall to pay their respects.

The ground shook as hundreds of people clapped their hands, cheered and whistled in celebration of Joel’s life.

The tributes ended with the microphone being opened to the community, with several taking the chance to pay their respects to, and express their support for Mr Evans and his family.

Two young boys took the stage, one so small he needed to stand on a chair to reach the microphone, and briefly spoke about what a great coach Joel was to them, and how he passed down his love of the sport.

In a quote that perhaps sums up all the speeches and tributes heard during the event, one young boy said, “Joel didn’t just love motocross, he was motocross.”

Mr Evans will be buried at a private service for his immediate family on Thursday.

Originally published as Mourners farewell Qld motocross rider Joel Evans at Kingaroy funeral