A teenager who was hit by a trailer being towed by a pickup truck and later died has been remembered by her heartbroken father as a talented artist who dreamed of visiting Japan.
Emergency services were called to the Bruxner Highway at East Lismore in northern New South Wales on Wednesday afternoon following reports that a pedestrian had been hit by a trailer.
Passersby and motorists stopped and gave first aid to 16-year-old Alysha Martin until paramedics arrived.
She was rushed to Lismore Base Hospital, where she later died.
“Alysha was such a beautiful girl who touched so many people’s lives,” her father, Key Martin, told Daily Mail Australia.
“She was a natural magnet for people. She was a great artist and going to Japan was her dream.”
Hilde Thurgate, a family friend, has created a GoFundMe to assist Alysha’s grieving family with funeral arrangements and living expenses as they grieve and adjust to life without her.
“Life can change in a fraction of a second,” he wrote.
A teenager who was hit by a vehicle and later died in northern New South Wales on Wednesday has been identified as Alysha Martin (pictured)
“This has absolutely devastated her family and many in our community who knew and loved her,” Thurgate said.
“All our love goes out to his family, his parents, his siblings and his friends.”
More than $7,200 has been raised in just a few days.
Rachel June revealed on a community social media page that Alysha was the daughter of her colleague and friend, Mr. Martin.
“Kye is a single father who has raised his two daughters alone for many years and has worked hard as a single parent to build a life for his daughters,” she wrote.
‘Works in the community sector supporting and sustaining housing for the most vulnerable in the community.’
She described her colleague as “a ray of sunshine, a truly amazing man and the most devoted father.”
Ms June added that the community is “absolutely devastated… by this senseless loss and not knowing how to support him”.
The Northern Rivers Shukokai Karate Dojo club also shared a heartfelt tribute
“Kye now faces the formidable task of being the sole provider for his family while dealing with the trauma of losing a child,” she said.
She asked that people consider donating to the fundraiser if they can, “as there has never been a more deserving cause.”
Mr Martin said he is looking for “a good street artist who can do a memorial piece for my daughter”.
She wrote on Facebook that Alysha “loved art and it was her biggest passion in life, she loved Japanese anime.”
The teenager was also remembered by the Northern Rivers Shukokai Karate Dojo club.
In a Facebook post, the club said it had received the devastating news that Alysha, a former student and older sister of Nahla, a current student, tragically died on Wednesday night.
Emergency services were called to the Bruxner Highway (pictured) in East Lismore last Wednesday following reports that a pedestrian had been hit by a van trailer.
“Our hearts go out to dad Kye and his sister Nahla.”
The 42-year-old van driver was taken to Lismore Base Hospital for mandatory tests on Wednesday.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Police investigations continue.
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