Teen just minutes from home when he was killed in horror crash

Family and friends have paid tribute to a year 12 student killed in a horror smash in rural South Australia.

Blade Edwards, 17, was heading home to Balaklava, 90km north of Adelaide, in his new car when tragedy struck.

“He was one of the nicest blokes you’ll ever meet, he had a smile that could melt metal,” friend Jordan Alsop revealed.

Blade Edwards, 17, was picking up his new car when tragedy struck on Sunday. Source: 7News
Blade Edwards, 17, was picking up his new car when tragedy struck on Sunday. Source: 7News

The teen died instantly when he lost control on a dirt road at Pinery on Sunday afternoon.

He’d just picked up a new car and was minutes from home.

“No words can explain it, honestly, no words can explain it,” friend Ty Robertson said.

His vehicle veered off a dirt road just minutes from home. Source: 7News
His vehicle veered off a dirt road just minutes from home. Source: 7News
A series of tributes have been left for the much loved teen at the scene of the crash. Source: 7News
A series of tributes have been left for the much loved teen at the scene of the crash. Source: 7News

Tributes were laid at the scene on Monday as friends remembered the car enthusiast who had a heart of gold.

“I love ya and i’m always gonna love ya buddy, you’re always gonna be in my heart,” Mr Alsop said.

In a written statement, his family says Blade was “taken too soon” and “the loving memories will stay with them forever”.

Family were among those who left their touching words for the 17-year-old. Source: 7News
Family were among those who left their touching words for the 17-year-old. Source: 7News

“I cannot describe how much I’m gonna miss that kid, I got to work this morning and all I’ve done all day is wait for him to pull around the corner,” Mr Aslop added.

Students as Blade’s school have been offered counselling as they try to come to terms with losing a second class mate to a car crash in the last year.

Blade’s best friend Damian Marker was killed in a horror smash at Salisbury.

“It’s heartbreaking, the only thing i can say is they’re both up there together,” Mr Alsop said.

The death is the second to hit the community in the last year after Blade’s friend Damian Marker also died in a car crash. Source: 7News
The death is the second to hit the community in the last year after Blade’s friend Damian Marker also died in a car crash. Source: 7News