DEVASTATED family members have paid tribute to a “loving mother” and “A-plus student” who were killed in an horrific crash at Brimin.
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Mrs Kilmister’s husband Paul, 44, remains in a coma at the Alfred hospital while eight-month-old Austin is also in a critical condition with spinal injuries. Two-year-old Morgan was to be discharged from hospital on Monday afternoon.
The couple’s eldest son, Felix, 14, wasn’t in the car when the accident happened but Mrs Kilmister’s brother, Daniel Gwynne, said the teenager was thankful for the support of the “greater Bundalong community”.
“We’ve been totally devastated by the events of the past few days,” Mr Gwynne said.
“It’s going to be quite some time until we really appreciate the overwhelming loss of Amanda and Harrison under such horrendous circumstances.
“Right now our families are banding together and rallying behind Paul and Austin.”
Mr Kilmister’s mother, Christine, said her son would need tremendous support when he woke from his coma as “his children and his wife were his life”. “He’s not going to cope,” she said, adding that family and counselling services would be on-hand to help deliver the news.
Mr Gwynne said colleagues of Mr Kilmister, a truck driver for Ron Finemore Transport, were in the process of setting up a GoFundMe page and thanked the boys’ principal at Cathedral College, Wangaratta, Adrian Farrer, for his support in the days after the accident.
“We’d like to offer our heartfelt thanks to all those who attended and assisted at the scene of the crash,” he said.
“In particular we would like to thank the emergency services provided and life-saving initial response.”
In a remarkable show of character, Mr Gwynne offered his thoughts to the driver of the truck.
Police believe the truck, heading to Wodonga, was on the wrong side of the road when it collided with the family’s Audi.
The 31-year-old truck driver from Mooroopna has been interviewed and released pending further enquiries.
“To the driver of the truck involved, I’d like you to know that our thoughts are with you,” Mr Gwynne said.
To the driver of the truck involved, I’d like you to know that our thoughts are with you ... I hope that you have the love and support of your family
- Amanda Kilmister's brother, Daniel Gwynne
“Regardless of blame or circumstance, an incident that happened in a few short minutes is likely to affect you for quite some time to come.
“I hope that you have the love and support of your family.”
The family of five from were driving home to Bundalong after dinner when the crash occurred just before 10pm on Friday.
Victoria Police Superintendent John Fitzpatrick said attending to the scene had been difficult for police and emergency services.
Anyone who witnessed the collision is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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