Mum’s selfless response to son’s death
The mother of a teenage boy who died in a horror crash has issued a touching tribute to her son and a selfless message to the car’s driver.
Benjy Weenink, 16, was killed after the ute he was travelling in with a car load of classmates crashed on Main South Rd, Adelaide, about 5.15pm on Sunday.
The area was experiencing strong, gusty winds when the driver is believed to have lost control of the vehicle.
The driver, a 17-year-old boy, and three other passengers – two 15-year-old girls and a 16-year old boy – were all taken to Flinders Medical Centre with non-life-threatening injuries.
Benjy, an Urrbrae Agricultural High School year 10 student, died from his injuries.
His mother Anna Weenink penned a touching post in the wake of the tragedy, saying her family was “heartbroken” as they tried to “make sense of the tragedy”.
“We absolutely do not blame the driver in this terrible accident,” Ms Weenink wrote.
“We thank God for the wonderful 16 years we had with our beautiful Benjy.”
She said Benjy would be remembered for bringing “fun, light and joy everywhere he went”.
“He was warm, open-hearted, adventurous, clever, brave, funny, beautiful, kind and loved by so many,” she wrote.
“He had the most natural ability to put anyone at ease with his gorgeous nature and sparking smile and he was like by everyone he met.
“Benjy was good at everything he tried – surfing, skating, guitar, soccer, tennis basketball, juggling, bouldering, you name it he could do it.
“We are so proud he is our son, stepson, brother, grandson, nephew and friend, and he is so deeply loved.”
Benjy is the youngest person to die and the 106th life lost on South Australian roads in 2023. Last year, there 66 deaths.
The teenagers had been staying at the Second Valley Caravan Park, The Advertiser reported.
Main South Rd was closed for several hours while police examined the scene and circumstances surrounding the incident.
The road has since reopened.
While no other vehicles were reported to be involved, an investigation into the crash is ongoing.
