The distraught father of one of the five girls killed in a horrific ute collision has transformed his own vehicles into moving mobile shrines to his daughter.
On September 6, just before 8 p.m., Lily Van de Putte, 14, was killed when a Nissan Navara crashed into trees on East Parade in Buxton, south-west of Sydney.
She was murdered alongside her Picton High School classmates Antonio Desisto, Tyrese Bechard, Summer Williams, and Gabby McLennan, who were all between the ages of 14 and 16.
John Van de Putte (left) has transformed his vehicles into mobile shrines to his daughter Lily (right), who died in a September car collision alongside four other youngsters.
John Van de Putte, Lily’s devastated father, has unveiled a set of custom-made stickers (left) to honor his daughter, as well as a license plate displaying her name and birth year (right)
The driver and lone survivor, 18-year-old Tyrell Edwards, has been charged with five counts of dangerous driving resulting in death – driving in a reckless manner and will stand trial later this year.
Now, John, Lily’s father, has unveiled a set of custom-made stickers to honor his daughter, as well as a license plate carrying her name and birth year.
The stickers feature rainbow-colored angel wings surrounding a purple lily and her name, Lily Van de Putte, 2008-2022.
Above the wings is the moving inscription, “Forever in my heart.”
The stickers have been placed in the rear window of the father’s family vehicle and on the rear of his Mercedes Sprinter van with the registration number 08-LILY.
Mr. Van de Putte, who has multiple sclerosis, displayed the stickers in a Facebook post and commented, ‘Great Christmas gifts.
“I appreciate everyone’s support x.”
On the left is a picture of Gabriella McLennan and her best friend, Lily Van de Putte. They perished in the same plane disaster.
John Van de Putte also displayed a Christmas tree ornament (left) with the name Lily written in glitter (pictured right decorating the family Christmas treet in 2019) with her best pal Gabby
John Van de Putte later tweeted a photo of his family with Lily and Gabby’s ornament prominently displayed as the Christmas tree’s star.
He also unveiled a Christmas ornament bearing the names of Lily and her closest friend Gabby, both of whom perished in the crash.
He later uploaded a photo of his family with the ornament prominently displayed as the Christmas tree’s star.
The posts elicited an outpouring of sorrow and condolences from friends and family still heartbroken by the tragedy.
Two months after the painful gathering of the families of the teenagers lost in the disaster, the memorial was unveiled.
After being picked up by limousine by the event’s organizers, family and friends of the five victims of the horrific crash gathered for a solemn cookout in a peaceful park.
A parent described the event as a “wonderful day…enjoyed by all.”
They stated, “We would like to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.”
There were games for the youngsters, delicious food, gift bags, and all families were picked up with a complimentary limousine ride, which made everyone happy.
Tyrell Edwards allegedly drove the Nissan ute that crashed into a tree in Buxton.
Antonio Desisto (shown on the right) and Summer Williams (pictured on the left) both perished in the September 6 event.
Tyrese Bechard (left) was killed after a Nissan ute collided with two trees on Buxton’s East Parade.
Mr. Van de Putte earlier stated, days after his daughter’s funeral, that he desired to see the parents of the motorist suspected of causing the deaths of his daughter and her friends.
Mr. Van de Putte stated at the time, “I only wish to embrace them.”
‘No hard feelings, no anger…
I must complete it for closure.
Edwards was released on bond in October under the strict terms that he reside with his parents and have no contact with anyone under the age of 18 unless his mother is present.
Edwards’ bail conditions include adhering to a curfew, not leaving his parents’ residence unless accompanied by his mother, abstaining from alcohol use, and not operating a motor vehicle.
John van de Putte stated that he wanted to meet with the parents of Tyrell Edward, the crash’s sole survivor and lone driver, to give them a hug.
Tyrell Edwards will be released on bond to live with his parents and is effectively under house arrest, unable to travel without his mother Renee’s presence.