Teen ‘just starting to make his way’

A teenager who died in hospital after suffering fatal injuries in a crash has been described as a gentle soul who loved life.

Joshua Brian Mcginty, 17, died of injuries suffered in a crash on the intersection of Kairanga Bunnythorpe and Te Ngaio roads on May 27, about 10.45pm.

Police say one vehicle failed to stop at a giveway and crashed into a second vehicle.

Joshua Mcginty, known as Josh, was taken to Palmerston North Hospital with serious injuries and died on June 2 in Wellington Hospital.

His dad, Brian Mcginty, described Josh as a gentle soul who loved life and had a good group of friends around him.

‘‘He was a kind-natured, lovely young man.’’

With a love of cars and tattoos, his dad said Josh was a goodlooking man who had a lot to enjoy in his life ahead.

‘‘He was just starting to make his way.’’

Josh, of Palmerston North, had recently started a new job building farm shelters, and buying his own car was on his to-do list.

‘‘He was such a good worker, such a hard worker, and had a really good work ethic as well.’’

Friends were also important to Josh, Mcginty said.

‘‘All his friends coming together in the last week, it shows what an influence he had and how much his friends loved him.’’

Being the middle child, Josh looked after his older sister and younger brother, and Mcginty said his death had been hard for his son’s siblings.

‘‘He was definitely in their corner when needed, backing them up.

‘‘He’s going to be really sadly missed.’’

Mcginty said what he was going to miss the most about his son was him just popping in to visit, no warning needed.

‘‘He used to just pop up out of the blue and just say ‘g’day’.’’

The police serious crash unit is investigating.