A grieving mother has shared the last message she sent to her son hours before receiving the heartbreaking news that he had died in a car crash.
Rhys Dwyer’s Toyota Landcruiser collided with cattle near the Mueller Ranges in Western Australia’s Kimberley region shortly after 6am on July 3.
The 34-year-old Perth worker died from serious injuries at the scene on the Great Northern Highway between Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing.
The carpenter and builder, better known as Freddy James to his 11,000 Instagram followers, was enjoying a holiday with friends when the tragedy occurred.
Mr Dwyer was almost 500 kilometres from Broome, the next stop on his road trip.
His mother, Allison Walker, recalled the moment police arrived at her door with the devastating news, saying it seemed unreal.
“I didn’t believe it. I still don’t believe it,” he said. 7news.com.au.
‘I was thinking “this isn’t real.”
Rhys Dwyer (pictured with his beloved dog Koa) suffered serious injuries after colliding with cattle on the Great Northern Highway.
“I spoke to him last night and told him, ‘Drive carefully.’”
Ms Walker described her son as an “energetic” family man who loved his Rottweiler Koa, cars and travelling.
She said he would “do everything he could” to help anyone and that saying goodbye is going to be the “hardest part.”
TO GoFundMe A fundraising page has been set up to help ease the family’s financial burden. Nearly $20,000 has been raised so far.
“Fred was doing what he loved, travelling around Western Australia, but sadly did not return home safely,” the page states.
‘Fred was an extraordinarily kind, loving, beautiful and adventurous soul who had so much more life left to live.’
The loss prompted an outpouring of heartfelt tributes from family and friends.
“I have a piece of my heart missing and I want it back… I will love you forever,” Walker wrote on Facebook.
‘You died doing what you loved, driving your Landcruiser and seeing the countryside.’
Ms Walker said the “hardest part” will be saying goodbye to her son (pictured) at his funeral on Friday.
Another friend said: “I still can’t believe you’re gone, buddy… you will be missed, but never forgotten.”
A third person wrote: “I’m devastated. I have no words. I love you.”
Another said: “Speechless is an understatement right now… You helped me when I was down, pushed me to be better and saw something in me that I didn’t… I’m sure going to miss you my friend.”
A friend who had spoken to Mr Dwyer hours before he died wrote: “You will be missed bro. Hold your loved ones tight because my friend had put more miles on the clock than most. It can happen to anyone.”
Mr Dwyer’s life will be celebrated at a service in Joondalup on Friday.
Police are urging anyone with information that could assist investigators, including dashcam footage, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.