Ben Hunter honoured on what would have been his 17th birthday

A beloved and talented teenage football star, whose life and budding career was cut short by a tragic car crash, would have celebrated his 17th birthday this week. Here’s how he’s been remembered nearly a year on.

Benjamin Hunter. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A beloved and talented teenage football star, whose life and budding career was cut short by a tragic car crash, would have celebrated his 17th birthday this week.

Benjamin Hunter, 16, also known as BJ and Ben, died from critical head and chest injuries after he was hit on Image Flat Rd near Nambour, on June 25 last year.

The talented teenage rugby league player was walking home from the gym when the incident occurred and he died on the way to Nambour Hospital.

Police said the incident was not a hit and run and the driver was assisting police with the investigation.

The circumstances of the crash are still being investigated with a report for the coroner still being prepared.

The Caloundra State High School student was a member of the Melbourne Storm junior academy, while playing for the Nambour Crushers and Sunshine Coast Falcons.

Caloundra SHS have retired Ben’s number 11 jersey.

Benjamin Hunter, 16, died when a car struck him on Image Flat Rd, near Nambour, as he walked home from the gym.

Yesterday, April 23, would have been Ben’s 17th birthday.

Ben’s father, Chris Hunter, said it was a difficult, heavy, and emotional day for himself and Ben’s mother, Natalie Gorzalka.

“It’s the first of everything without him that’s hard. First Christmas, now his birthday,” Mr Hunter said.

“It would have been the day he got his provisional license. He would have been driving himself by now.

“A lot of his mates have ventured off to Melbourne to continue their work with the Melbourne Storm development squad. I think he was headed in the same direction.

“He also would have still been playing for the Falcons.”

Reminiscing on his son’s cheeky smile and positive attitude, Mr Hunter said Ben was always destined for greatness.

“He wanted to be an NRL player right from the start and he would have made it too,” he said.

“He never gave up. He was always playing footy or training. The night of the accident he was training.

“All he ever did was work towards his goals and try to better himself.”

The Nambour Crushers have unveiled a memorial garden and bench for Ben’s 17th birthday.

“We saw teamwork and friendship come together to create the memorial garden for BJ. A project that has been in the works for six months,” the club said on Facebook.

Memorial garden and bench for Ben Hunter. Picture – Facebook.

Mr Hunter said his son’s footy mates would now be able to sit on his bench to talk to him.

“He was always happy and smiling. Doesn’t matter who interacted with him, he was the same to everyone and treated everyone well,” Mr Hunter said.

“He would do anything he could to help his mates out, was a hard worker, was dedicated towards his football.

“While he was a fantastic footballer he was a better kid off the field.

“Moving forward it's about celebrating his life and achievements. He had a big football family and no one has forgotten.”

At the memorial garden a lychee tree has also been planted in his memory.

“On his school holidays Ben used to work at a farm at Yandina picking lychees. Then on training nights he’d always bring a big bag of them to share with is mates and coaches,” Mr Hunter said.

“Now they can sit on his bench and some day soon have a lychee with him just like old times.

“The support from the clubs has been unbelievable and shows just how great he was.”

Originally published as Ben Hunter honoured on what would have been his 17th birthday