A Queensland father has died after he and his 10-year-old son were struck by a car while cycling to school in Rockhampton, leaving the boy in an induced coma.
Leslie Spencer, known to his family as Les, suffered catastrophic injuries in the collision at the intersection of Kent Street and Cambridge Street at about 11.40am on Friday, 28 August.
Queensland Police said a bicycle and a Mitsubishi Pajero were involved in the crash. The driver, a 43-year-old man, was not physically injured and is assisting with the investigation.
Mr Spencer was taken to Rockhampton Hospital with multiple skull fractures, severe swelling and bleeding on the brain, as well as rib fractures which punctured a lung. He died on Sunday, 30 August, with his sister Elizabeth Langford at his side.
His son, also named Leslie and known as Bubba, was flown to Brisbane with a serious head injury. He remains in an induced coma, with relatives expecting doctors to begin bringing him round in the coming days.
“It shouldn’t have happened,” Ms Langford told 7NEWS.com.au.
She described her brother as “an incredible person” and a devoted father who loved making his children laugh.
“He was a great dad. He really loved his kids,” she said. “Just always good for a laugh, always being goofy and silly.”
The family has already endured the death of Leslie’s eldest son, Shawn, who died from meningitis aged 14 about five years ago.
Cousin Chloe Hughes said Les had continued to support his four surviving children and his granddaughter despite the loss.
“He just pushed through every day, and did the best he could with what he was going through with Shawn,” Ms Langford said.
Ms Hughes said the family was now facing the pain of mourning Les while hoping for the recovery of his young son.
“Our family is praying and hoping with everything we have for his recovery,” she said.
A GoFundMe appeal has been established to help pay for funeral costs and other expenses while relatives support the children. The family said donations would allow them to remain together and give Leslie the farewell he deserved.
Queensland Police said investigations into the circumstances of the crash were continuing and appealed for anyone with relevant information or footage to come forward.
