Bailey Seabourne remembered after death in Devonport crash

“I knew something was up”: A heartbroken father has revealed the moment he found out his son had been tragically killed in a crash after he couldn’t reach him by phone. TRIBUTE >>

A heartbroken father has honoured his “sweet and gentle” son after he was tragically killed in a fatal crash yesterday afternoon.

Bailey Seabourne died after the car he was travelling in with four other people crashed on Pardoe Rd, Devonport around 1pm Monday.

Tasmania Police said initial inquiries indicated the vehicle left the roadway after failing to negotiate a sweeping right hand bend and rolled several times before coming to rest.

The 18-year-old male driver of the red Nissan dual cab was taken to hospital in a critical condition, while the other three passengers suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Bailey’s father Dwayne said he thought the worst when he wasn’t able to get onto his beloved son.

“My mum gave me a call because I was at a mate’s house, and she said Bailey had been picked up by a red ute,” Mr Seabourne said.

Bailey and Dwayne Seabourne.

“I couldn’t get a hold of him on his phone and he always answers me. So I knew something was up.”

Bailey, who only turned 16 last month, was an older brother to Mali, 12, Dominic, 11, Jett, Dante, 5, Dustyn, 2, and Portia, six months.

“He was a very sweet and loving older brother,” Mr Seabourne said.

“He was so gentle, he loved his brothers and sisters. They all looked up to him.

“You look at him and think he’s going to be rough, but he was the complete opposite.

“The whole family just loved him. He was a nanny’s boy. He was Nan’s man.

Bailey Seabourne.

“Him and his first girlfriend had been together for about 10 months and he absolutely adored her.”

The Latrobe High School student was a young darts star on the rise who had represented Tasmania twice and South Australia once at the National Junior Championships.

Mr Seabourne said his son’s love for the sport was organic.

“Me and my little brother both played at a high level for a few years and he grew up watching us and he wanted to play.

“I didn’t pressure him or anything, he just wanted to do it and he enjoyed it.

“I was so proud of him.”

Bailey’s death sparked an outpouring of emotion from the darts community around Tasmania, including a touching tribute from the Devon Dart League.

“We have all watched you grow from the cheeky, fun loving kid into the kind young man you were,” a post on their Facebook page read.

“You were too good for this world, taken so young #forever16.

“Until we meet again BLD, Rest In Peace.”

Bailey Seabourne with his girlfriend Annie.

Mr Seabourne said the community’s response had opened his eyes to how loved Bailey truly was.

“It’s been unreal, not just from the darts family but everyone. There’s people I haven’t spoken to for years who have reached out.

“It just reminds me how special he actually was. We probably took that for granted sometimes.

“He was definitely unique. One of a kind.”