Mr White, 42, and mother Rosemary were in a car which crashed into a tree after veering off Edi-Cheshunt Road.

The 75-year-old Edi Upper woman remained at the Royal Alfred Hospital on Tuesday, where she was in an induced coma with serious head and pelvic injuries.

Daughter Julie Kennedy was by her side in Melbourne, waiting for news as Rosemary rested.

She told The Border Mail that Basil’s greatest loves were his two sons Duke, 7, and Steele, 5.

He started his career with a fitter and turner apprenticeship at Holden in Melbourne, then went on to work in the agricultural industry and had a love of motorbikes, tractors and trucks.

He was part of a young farmers group and was active in the farming community, working around the King Valley, Shepparton, Gippsland and Warrnambool.

“Basil had the biggest heart and was kind, polite, intelligent and a funny guy,” Mrs Kennedy said.

“He loved kids, as he was a big kid himself, so he would play for hours with his nieces and nephews and friends’ children.”

He also loved to dance and had partnered many ladies at debutante balls during his school days.

The crash was discovered just before 7am Monday, however police believed the car may have left the road some hours earlier.

Wangaratta Highway Patrol Sergeant Michael Connors said no witnesses had come forward in the 24 hours since the car was discovered, so police were still trying to piece together what happened.

The tragic death took the North East’s road toll to 19, up from 11 fatalities last year. 

“I can't remember it being this high for some time, so we just have to keep pleading with people not to think it won't happen to them,” Sergeant Connors said.

“To lose someone at any time is bad, but so close to Christmas, it could tear a family apart.”