GoFundMe for footballer Ben Hunter following Image Flat road tragedy

Police have dismissed a rumour surrounding the death of a talented teenage footballer as the community rallies to help his family cope with the devastating loss.

Almost $20,000 has been raised by the Sunshine Coast community to help a devastated family deal with the loss of their talented rugby-league playing teenager who died after he was struck by a car.

Paramedics tried to save Image Flat 16-year-old Benjamin Hunter, also known as BJ and Ben, from critical head and chest injuries after he was hit on Image Flat Rd near Nambour.

A 24-year-old Nambour woman was driving the hatchback that was involved in the incident about 11.50pm on June 25.

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 police appealing to anyone who witnessed the crash or may have dashcam/CCTV of the area around the time of the incident to come forward.

Tributes from Sunshine Coast football clubs, his coaches, and online commenters began to flow as the tragic news spread throughout the community.

Annmarie Lawson, who organised the appeal for BJ’s family wrote his mum Natalie started working for her family about six years ago and has become family to us.

“We have seen both boys, Sam and Benji grow up into amazing young men.

“BJ had a very promising career as a footballer and has had a very successful last few years with his football scholarship at Caloundra High.

“Anyone who had ever met BJ, would know how special this young man was.

“He had a beautiful soul, kind and well mannered, a credit to his amazing parents Natalie and Chris. His loss is being felt far and wide across the community and we reach out now for your help for this beautiful family in their time of grief.”

As of Wednesday morning, almost $19,000 had been raised towards the $20,000 target.

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

The teenager was a member of the Melbourne Storm junior academy, Caloundra State High School student and Langer Trophy player, a Brisbane Broncos supporter and a talented Nambour Crushers and Sunshine Coast Falcons player.

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR BJ

Nambour Crushers president Leith Hensley said a candlelight vigil for the talented player was scheduled for Wednesday night, June 28.

Benjamin Hunter’s teammates and friends gathered at the crash site on Image Flat Rd, near Nambour, to grieve. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“We are opening it up to the wider rugby league community and not just the Crushers family,” he said.

“There’s been an outpouring of support and emotion from people across the coast.”

Flowers and a football have been left at the crash site on Image Flat Rd. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Mr Hensley said a private gathering was also organised for Crushers players and chaplains and welfare officers from Queensland Rugby League were offering their services to the club and the players.

“We appreciate that people will respect the family’s privacy at this stage, what we’re doing is to support them and the wider Crushers community,” he said.

While details of the vigil are still being finalised, it will start at 5.30pm on June 28 at the Nambour Crushers Clubhouse and those who attend are asked to bring their own candle.

A fundraiser has also started online, with more than $12,000 raised in 14 hours for Benjamin’s funeral and to help his mum.

More than 230 people had made donations to the family appeal as of the morning of June 28.

Search for “GoFundMe” and “BJ’s funeral and family fund” to find the fundraiser.

Originally published as GoFundMe for footballer Ben Hunter following Image Flat road tragedy