LOST IN HIS PRIME
Tears for alleged hit-and-run victim Harley Amos
THE family of alleged hit-and-run victim Harley Amos is heartbroken.
“He was a good young kid in the prime of his life,” the family said.
The driver who allegedly hit the 18year-old from Mareeba at Dimbulah early on Sunday has been remanded in custody.
Harley’s father Heath Amos arrived on the scene as emergency services tended to his son. The 18-year-old died on Burke Development Rd early on Sunday morning.
He was found by police about 100m east of the Minsini Rd intersection.
Harley had been alone and on the roadway when he was struck.
“It was quite a difficult and emotional scene for everyone involved,” Sergeant Scott Ezard from Cairns Forensic Crash Unit said.
Harley’s family have described their devastation in a statement released yesterday morning.
“Everyone is completely heartbroken and shattered by this tragic loss,” a family spokesman said. “Words cannot describe the hurt the family is feeling.
“We ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
The driver who allegedly killed Harley has been remanded in custody.
Malaysian national Kenny Simpoh appeared in Mareeba Magistrates Court yesterday charged with driving without due care and attention causing death and failing to remain at a road incident and assist an injured person.
His application for bail was rejected and the court has confiscated his passport.
Mr Simpoh is one of the first to be charged in Far North Queensland under new legislation passed in June.
He has been remanded in custody until November 12.
Mr Simpoh was arrested after a farmer told police he’d seen a vehicle on nearby Leafgold Weir Rd.
It is alleged that Mr Simpoh was in the process of trying to have the vehicle towed because it had broken down.
Sgt Ezard said the vehicle was seized and towed to Cairns for forensic examination.
Tributes to Harley and messages of condolences have been posted on several social media pages.
“A very special link in our family chain has been broken today ... we will all miss you and love you always, keep catching those barra mate,” a family message said.
Another post described Harley as “a beautiful young man”.
Harley, a student at Mareeba State High School, was only weeks away from finishing Year 12 and graduating.
“It is just a tragic situation with a young person who was so close to finishing school,” principal Scott Whybird said.
“He only had five weeks to go at school before he went out into the world and now he won’t have a chance to live it,” he said.