A teenage boy found dead on a rural roadside this morning has devastated the Riverina community.
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About 1.30am, emergency services were called to River Road, Wantabadgery, about 40km east of Wagga, after a passing motorist noticed a body on the road.
The driver stopped to try to help and discovered it was the body of a teenager.
A crime scene was established and police officers from the Crash Investigation Unit are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
Police confirmed that he was a 15-year-old boy from Wantabadgery.
Speaking at a media conference today, Riverina police Superintendent Bob Noble said investigations so far included whether “it might’ve been a motor-vehicle accident with a pedestrian”.
“Potentially, someone may have been involved in an accident.”
However, he said that given the circumstances and conditions at the time, police were open to investigating all lines of inquiries and call for community information.
“It’s very dark, it’s obvious a country road...so a driver of a heavy vehicle or similar may not know or may not have realised,” Superintendent Noble said.
“We’re keeping an open mind in respect to what might’ve actually occurred.
“At this stage, we’re processing a scene where obviously a deceased person was located.
“There wasn’t a lot else in the way of physical evidence at the scene.”
Police are also inquiring whether the boy fell off the back of a utility vehicle.
They have informed the family of the teenager about the news.
“Tragically, a 15-year-old local boy has lost his life...we’re dealing with the poor boy’s family right now,” Superintendent Noble said.
“That’s a tremendous concern and source of great sorrow for the community.”
“Obviously it’s a very delicate matter and there’s the potential that there are still relatives and friends of this young person who haven’t yet been informed of this.”
The incident is believed to have happened between 7pm Tuesday and 1.15am Wednesday.
The tragic news comes after a 58-year-old Junee man died from an alleged one-punch assault last weekend.
“It always seems to be at this time of the year when we’re supposed to be winding down and reflecting positively on the achievements of the community over the course of the year,” Superintendent Noble said.
“And here we are reflecting on the deaths - obviously prematurely, suddenly and tragically in a short space of time.
“A young person and another person who was still in a productive phase of his life – now they’re gone.”
That’s a tremendous concern and source of great sorrow for the community.
- Superintendent Bob Noble, Riverina Police District
Junee Mayor Neil Smith has also offered his support to the families and friends of the teenager and 58-year-old man.
“It is tragic and my condolences to the families of those involved,” Cr Smith said.
“I think being in a small community is a great place to be.
“As tragic as it is, people come together.”
Anyone with more information is urged to contact Wagga Police Station on 6922 2599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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