Danni Clayton: Tributes to Hadspen boxer after tragic crash

The young Tasmanian woman who lost her life in a tragic crash on Wednesday night was a beloved daughter, sister and aunty who won international acclaim in the boxing ring.

The young Tasmanian woman who lost her life in a tragic crash on Wednesday night was a beloved daughter, sister and aunty who won international acclaim in the boxing ring.

Hadspen woman Danni Clayton lost control of her orange Holden Commodore sedan about 7.25pm as she travelled on the Midland Hwy Southern Outlet near Launceston.

Ms Clayton, who had a decorated boxing career, winning titles at the Australian Boxing Championships and the Women’s Youth World Championships among other achievements, would be “forever by our side”, said family member Amber Beck.

“I genuinely feel like a piece of my heart has been crushed,” Ms Beck said.

Ms Beck who is in a relationship with Ms Clayton’s cousin, said Ms Clayton especially adored her niece Aisha and baby cousin Malaykem

Ms Clayton also shared an “unbreakable bond” with her dad Wayne.

“So many kids wish they had (that kind of bond with their parents), they trained together, laughed together and loved together,” Ms Beck said.

“She will be forever by our sides.”

A family representative said they were grateful for the love they had received from the community and requested privacy and space to grieve their beloved.

Friends of Ms Clayton’s also shared their heartache.

“She was always happy and had a smile on her face no matter what,” said Sharia Bean said.

“I’m going to miss you so much girl, but rest easy and you’ll be an beautiful angel.”

Brittany Grice, meanwhile, who had been friends for seven years with Ms Clayton, said that every time they saw each other it was “always the same: good times, laughs and bantering to each other”.

“We used to go to the Mersh (The Commercial Hotel) a lot and just break it down on the dancefloor.

“I have so many great memories with Danni, she was always there for me and I did try my best to be there for her.

“One time she made me do the zigzag at (Cataract Gorge) and I am not fit at all, I was nearly in tears because I was so hot and all Danni did was jog non-stop and said, ‘Come on girl you can do it’.

“I made it after so long.”

Tasmania Police are preparing a report for the coroner.

Ms Clayton’s death is the state’s 36th on the roads in 2022, already eclipsing the toll for 2021 in its entirety.