Family mourns loss of 21-year-old tragically killed on New Year's Day
Family and friends are mourning the loss of a “beautiful” 21-year-old man who was killed in the early hours of the new year after being struck by a car.
Henry Jennings was hit in Maroochydore on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast by a driver who allegedly left the scene without providing help.
Police and paramedics were called to Maroochy Boulevarde about 1.30am on January 1 where Mr Jennings, from Minyama, was located unconscious.
Desperate attempts were made to save his life, but he died at the scene a short time later.
A 25-year-old Mooloolaba man has since been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and leaving the scene of incident without obtaining help.
He presented to Maroochydore Police Station the morning of New Year’s Day and was given police bail to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on January 22.
Family have expressed their deep sadness in posts to social media, with one describing Mr Jennings as “everyone’s best friend”.
“Beautiful Henry Jennings, we will miss your smiling face, your beautiful kind heart, that cheeky spirit and your sweet soul. You really were everyone’s best friend. And you were like a son and brother to us,” a post to Facebook read.
“Taken away too soon, we’re all so devastated and heartbroken. But you fly high now sweetheart and know you are and always will be the light of your mum and dads’ eyes.”
“You will always be remembered as the life of every social gathering, and you will always be everyone’s ‘one in a million’. New Years Day will be your day forever more. Rest In Peace sweetheart, we so love you.”
More than 100 people offered condolences to Mr Jennings’ parents and family, with some who knew the young man agreeing that he was always the life of the party.
“Henry was an amazing young man who brought so much joy to so many and will never be forgotten by our family for his beautiful and jovial nature,” one comment read.
“He was always the life of the party and with so many friends. Just too sad for words,” another wrote.
Friends expressed their heartbreak in comments to Mr Jennings’ Instagram page, writing of how much they loved and missed him.
“I love you so much brother,” one wrote, while others left comments wishing for him to “rest easy”.
“Still yet to process it. You were my best mate and the nicest person I’ve ever met. You had an amazing ability to bring everyone around you up, and you could always turn a mediocre night into the night of your life,” another wrote in a post dedicated to his friend.
Mr Jennings went to school at Matthew Flinders Anglican College on the Sunshine Coast and recently completed the third year of a business degree at the University of Queensland, according to the Brisbane Times.
He had earlier lived in university accomodation at the Kings College St Lucia campus and was voted into being the 2020 social convenor.
Just weeks before his death he had moved into a house with three friends.
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