Dad killed in workplace accident week before son's first birthday
A doting young dad and husband has been tragically killed during a workplace accident just one week before his little boy’s first birthday.
Western Sydney tradie Will Finch was called to air-conditioning job on November 17 when he was involved in an accident, suffering catastrophic injuries that ultimately cost him his life.
The 29-year-old was looking forward to celebrating his son Wyatt’s first birthday last weekend.
He and wife Katelyn had chosen the cake and the invitations had been sent out, but instead the family is planning a funeral.
The tragedy has left an “enormous void” as Mr Finch’s family and close friends struggle to come to terms with the “one in a million” man’s sudden death.
In a touching Facebook tribute, cricket teammate Daniel Atkinson revealed the impact of the loss of his mate, sharing a solemn picture of the Schofields Cricket Club 1st Grade observing a minute’s silence prior to their game.
He said the players wore black arm bands in Mr Finch’s memory and each wore his name on their backs.
“My heart breaks for you and your family, your little boy who will no longer get to look up to what I believe was a great role model and man,” Mr Atkinson wrote.
“He had a pure heart of gold, he was a great mate and a true gentleman.”
In a GoFundMe page set up to help his mate’s family with funeral costs, Mr Atkinson described Mr Finch as “a family man in every sense of the word”.
“Those close to him knew that the most important people to him were waiting for him at home.”
In a Facebook tribute, John Norford remembered his brother-in-law as a “kind, passionate, sweet and hardworking young man”.
“He loved his fishing, shooting and cricket, but more then anything he loved his little family,” he added.
Another friend Nathan Frater described Mr Finch as “a bloke who was one of a kind and an absolute legend”.
An additional GoFundMe page has been set up to provide Mrs Finch “some breathing space to grieve Will without the worry of mounting bills and financial stress”, as her late husband was the sole provider for his family.
The two campaigns have already raised a combined total of almost $12,400.
