Will Turner: Tragic crash victim remembered by campdraft industry he loved

A young man tragically killed in a car accident at the weekend has been remembered by his friends and the campdraft community he had a huge passion for. One mate has had a tattoo in his honour.

Outpouring of support over the tragic passing of a young gun in the campdraft scene has flooded in following a tragic crash on Sunday afternoon.

William Turner, from Texas, was killed following an multi-vehicle accident on the Cunningham Highway, at Gladfield.

The community and campdrafting scene was quick with outpouring support following the accident.

Members of the community in Texas have been supporting the family by providing meals since the weekend crash.

Will Turner, 17, died after he veered into oncoming traffic on the Cunningham Highway about 2.40pm on Sunday (Image: Nettie Eggleston Photography)

On Sunday afternoon, emergency services were sent to the scene of the Cunningham Hwy crash at Gladfield about 2.40pm.

Five other motorists were injured in the crash, and were sent to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The highway was closed in both directions for several hours.

A family friend, Leeanne Eastwell, has been helping the family in the aftermath of the tragic accident.

Ms Eastwell said she saw Will ‘almost like a fifth son’ and said her youngest son Lane had a close bond with the young rider.

“I would take them into football at Toowoomba a few times a week, and he ended up being the fifth boy I never had,” Ms Eastwell said.

“He was such a good kid, he definitely gone places, he was a larrikin that everyone loved, the life of the party.”

In the aftermath of Will’s tragic and untimely passing, Leeanne stepped up and began organising a GoFundMe which has raised almost $5000.

“We all know the daily struggles with everything, a helping hand would be great for anyone, and we don’t want them to worry about getting back to work, and help lessen the burden of day-to-day things.”

“I know how important it is to have really good friend, and he was a really great friend to Lane, he truly would always be there for him.

“He was so respectful, grateful and polite, I don’t think he took much for granted.”

Leeanne Eastwell's son Lane got this tattoo to commemorate the life of Will Turner, who sadly died following an accident near Cunningham's Gap. (Photo: Leeanne Eastwell)

“Lane told me he was going to get his first tattoo, and he showed me on his forearm he’s got Will’s name and when he was born and when he passed,” Ms Eastwell said.

“It says ‘90 or nothing’, which is a scoring saying in campdrafting.”

Community support has also been pouring in via social media, with many commenters expressing grief that is surely felt across the wider community.

‘R.I.P. Will. You have gained your wings. You will be missed,’ one commenter on Facebook said.

‘Condolences to Will’s family and friend’s. RIP Will, taken far to young, fly high young man,’ another said.

Following the crash, the campdrafting community throughout Australia, including the Australian Campdraft Association, has expressed collective grief.

“Will had the world at his feet and it is terribly sad to see someone taken far too soon,” a spokesman for the Australian Campdraft Association said.

“ACA express our sincerest condolences to Will’s family.”

The GoFundMe Leeanne Eastwell has set up to raise money to ensure Will gets a great farewell is linked here.

Originally published as Will Turner: Tragic crash victim remembered by campdraft industry he loved