Parents' Heartbreak After Discovering Son at Fatal Crash Scene in Melbourne
In a devastating turn of events, heartbroken parents have shared their profound grief after stumbling upon a crash scene involving their teenage son, Chris Antony. The 16-year-old tragically passed away in hospital on Friday, exactly one week after being struck by a car that veered off Pound Rd in Narre Warren South, Melbourne, as he walked home from school.
A Cruel Twist of Fate
In a cruel twist, Chris's parents, Antony Francis Antonysamy and Agaligai Antony, arrived at the crash site moments after the incident occurred. They found their unresponsive son being administered CPR by a fellow motorist. "I said 'Chris, do not bail on us. Chris, come back to us'," Antonysamy recounted to 7NEWS. "It just broke my heart. He was in the ditch. One person was trying CPR. They lifted him to a stretcher. That's when I saw bleeding in his right ear."
Chris Antony was merely five minutes away from his family home when the accident happened, a route he had traversed countless times. The Year 11 student sustained critical head injuries and was airlifted to a nearby hospital, but medical efforts could not save his life. "His soul was still with us in that intensive care unit and we strongly believed that he would come back to us, until the last moment," his father expressed.
Remembering a Beloved Son and Friend
Loved ones have fondly remembered Chris as a genuine, caring individual and a deeply committed Christian. "So warm and affectionate, and he had a mesmerising smile," Antonysamy said. His mother described him as the perfect son, noting, "Whatever I say, he never says no." Chris's sister, Auxilia, shared her sorrow, stating she had lost her best friend and realised "God had given me a built-in best friend for life."
Close friends visited Chris in intensive care to bid their final farewells. "I promised him that I'm going to try and name one of my kids Chris as a tribute to my best, best brother, my friend," said Leo Soni Palahanickal. Another friend, Isindu Rajapakshe, reflected on the immense loss, saying it leaves "a huge gap that nothing else can fill in your heart." Antonysamy emphasised his son's legacy of kindness: "He was a faithful person. He never hurt anyone. He was extraordinarily kind and polite. Those are things that will stay with us for the rest of our lives."
Calls for Enhanced Pedestrian Safety
The family is now urgently advocating for better protection for pedestrians along this hazardous stretch of road in Melbourne's southeast. They highlight that the footpath is dangerously close to traffic moving at 70km/h and insist a barrier is necessary to prevent future tragedies. "So will they wake up and do something to protect? Matter of a few thousand dollars to install those metal bars," Antonysamy pleaded.
In the aftermath, the 48-year-old female driver from Narre Warren South sustained minor injuries. Police have not yet interviewed her as they consider potential charges related to the fatal incident. Auxilia clarified the family's stance, saying, "My quarrel isn't really with the driver, but with understanding why it had to be him."
This tragic event underscores ongoing concerns about road safety in residential areas, prompting a community-wide call for immediate action to safeguard pedestrians and prevent similar heartbreak.
