Teen dies after Nambour skateboarding accident
- Kerryn Manifold
- 8th August 2008
Lachlan's brother David McSweeny at their favourite place, Point Cartwright.
AS a chilly westerly breeze cut across Point Cartwright yesterday, David McSweeny was filled with pain.
Last Thursday, at about 5pm, David's 18-year-old brother, Lachlan Masterson skateboarded down a steep Nambour road, fell and hit his head.
After being kept on life support for a day in Brisbane, the machines were turned off on Saturday.
"When I looked at him lying there, I could see in his eyes he was gone," David said.
Now six people, including one young boy, have another chance at life thanks to Lachlan's gift.
David was mourning for his brother but was happy other people could be helped.
"He was just on the cusp of being a man and about to start an apprenticeship as a painter," David said.
"He was a big fella with a big future ahead of him and had a beautiful girlfriend.
"Down inside, he was really good and that makes the loss a bit harder."
He pleaded with young people to wear correct safety gear when skateboarding.
"If he was wearing a helmet, there's a good chance he'd still be here now," he said.
For Lachlan's girlfriend, Mel Condren, remembering the larrikin who turned 18 in June, allowed a slight smile to cut through the numbness she felt.
Lachlan's girlfriend Mel Condren and a photo of Lachlan, inset.
Mel, who had been with Lachlan for almost two years since she met him at Burnside High School, said scattering his ashes in the breaking surf was a fitting farewell.
"He felt comfortable at the beach," she said.
David agreed.
"His passion was body-boarding and he was always in the surf," he said.
"He only ever wanted to surf the one spot called The Rock.
"It's a popular body boarding spot and I'll always be surfing around there.
"I figure he'll be there too, mate."
Lachlan's best mate, Paco Johnson-Cash, said the former Maroochydore and Nambour AFL player was always thinking of others.
"It was the little things," Paco said.
"Every time he came over, he would bring a block of chocolate to share because he was just generous. He never turned up empty handed."
It's that generosity that David said would lead dozens of people to attend the funeral service at Drysdale's Funerals on National Park Road in Nambour at 10am tomorrow morning.
Anybody who knew Lachlan is invited to the funeral.
Surfing videos capturing Lachlan's passion will be projected on the walls during the service before a group of body-boarders travel to the beach and paddle out to sea to lay him to rest.
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