A heartbroken mother of 11 has revealed the heartbreaking last text message she sent to her husband before he died in a horrific car and motorcycle crash.
Hayden Errol Frank Selby, 31, died on July 19 when a car collided with his motorcycle at about 4.10pm on Friday on the M1 motorway near New Mount Pleasant Road, Mount Ousley, south of Sydney.
Mr Selby and his fiancée Katie Powell were preparing to move to the Illawarra this weekend and he was guiding a friend to their new home when the accident happened.
His friend, Kirsten Anthony, was behind him driving a Toyota pickup truck and towing a trailer when she collided with his motorcycle.
The 24-year-old has since been charged with negligent driving causing death.
Selby’s fiancée and mother of his 11 children, Katie Powell, shared the heartbreaking final message he sent her before his death.
“Hayden was helping a friend move on the coast on Friday and I texted him in the afternoon and said ‘I love you, drive safe and take care of each other,'” she said. 7News.
Ms. Powell said she became concerned after a few hours passed and she received no response.
Hayden Selby, 31, a father of 11, died on July 19 when a car, driven by his friend, collided with his motorcycle in Mount Ousley, south of Sydney.
She explained that at around 6pm she received a phone call from one of Mr Selby’s friends who told her the heartbreaking news.
“Since then, it’s been a big mess. I drop my kids off at school every day and then I don’t know what to do,” Powell said.
Ms Powell added that the couple share 11 children and two grandchildren, with the youngest being eight months old and “never even getting to meet his father”.
She described her fiancé as a selfless “protector” and a “gentle giant” who always helped his family and friends when they needed it.
“He was a teddy bear, a gentle giant and a protector. His friends could count on him for anything. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for his friends and family,” Powell said.
Powell shared a touching tribute to her “amazing” fiancé and created a GoFundMe page to raise funds for her funeral while she takes care of her children.
“This beautiful man was always the first to jump in whenever someone needed help. He fought, struggled and battled to give me and my children what we have achieved together,” Powell wrote.
“I don’t know how to do this. I’m a single mother with 11 children and two grandchildren.
‘The man who took such good care of all the important things in our lives is gone.
‘I just want to give him what he deserves. Please help me spoil the love of my life and father of my children one last time.’
Mr Selby’s fiancée and mother of his 11 children shared a touching tribute to her “incredible protector” (pictured: Mr Selby with three of his children)
At the time of publication, GoFundMe had received 60 donations totaling $3,755 and has a goal of raising $7,000.
Ms Powell revealed she does not know when she will be able to bury Hayden as the police investigation into his death is still ongoing.
Ms Anthony was granted bail on Saturday and is due to appear in court later this month.