The parents of a teenager killed in a Sydney car crash one month after his 16th birthday has issued a message to other young Aussies.
Matthew Simpson and his friend Addison Bhimjiani, 17, were killed when a car they were passengers in collided into the rear of a Ford Falcon before crashing into a power pole on Windsor Rd at McGraths Hill, in Sydney’s north west just before 10pm on Monday.
The boys were travelling home from the gym with a 17-year-old driver who survived the crash and was taken to hospital with internal injuries.
Speaking to 7News, Matthew’s parents Melissa and Luke Simpson said they hold no anger or blame towards the driver following the crash.
“They were best mates,” Mr Simpson told the outlet. “The boys loved him, and he loved them,” Mrs Simpson said.
However, Mr Simpson warned other kids that they’re not invincible and their lives could be cut short.
“Going for a drive with your mate might be good fun but at any stage in your life, it can be taken away from you,” he said.
“You don’t get a second chance when that happens … That’s the burden we now have to live with.”
Friends and family have paid tribute to the boys, who were due to start Year 11 and had celebrated their Year 10 formal nine weeks before the crash.
“Fly high Matty miss you so much bro,” one boy wrote on social media.
“We are still in disbelief. Our hearts are breaking for Matty’s family and all the kids,” a family friend wrote.
Mr Simpson told 7News his son, who aspired to become a tradie, was a young boy with a “heart of gold”.
“He was the kid who would give you the shirt off his back, but take the chewing gum out of your pockets as he did it.”
Addison’s grieving sister had also paid tribute to her brother, who she said she will “forever look up to”.
“Fly high to my big brother I loved you so much I wish I could hug you one last time or see your smile,” she wrote on social media.
“I will never forget you were such an amazing person thank you for the time I had with you.
“No words describe how much my heart aches, knowing you’re not here to laugh, talk to. I will miss you, forever 17.”
Three teenagers travelling in the Ford Falcon were uninjured and are assisting police.
The driver of the Falcon stopped and called triple-0. He has since been taken for mandatory blood and urine testing.
NSW Police established a crime scene, with officers attached to the Crash Investigation Unit now investigating the incident.
Investigators are appealing for anyone with information about the incident to contact police.
– with NCA Newswire