The funeral service for 11-year-old Gurmantar Gill, who tragically died after being struck by a bus, will be held in Buderim, Queensland today.
Gurmantar sustained life-threatening injuries when he was hit by a school bus on Jingellic Drive near Karawatha Drive in Buderim on the Sunshine Coast at around 3.45 pm on Tuesday. Despite being swiftly taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital, he sadly succumbed to his injuries.
It is being reported that at the time of the accident, Gurmantar, a Year 6 student, was riding his bike home from school and was believed to be only about 50 metres from his house.
Daljinder Gill told media that his son Gurmantar wanted to ride to school.
“Normally we pick him up but yesterday he wanted to ride. I still can’t believe we don’t have him.”
Gurmantar was a part of Maroochy River Golf Club and dreamed of turning his golfing talent into a career. He regularly participated in local junior tournaments and the local community realised that the young boy had a promising future in the sport.
Gurmantar’s coach Mr Wright told the Courier Mail:
“He was a beautiful kid. He’s a kid you’d always stop and talk to … just a gentle soul.”
Sunshine Coast Golf Zone said in a statement that Gurmantar was “very well liked member of our junior golfing community:
“A well mannered, positive and cheery youngster who made friends easily. Our condolences and sympathies go out to his family and friends during this most difficult time.”
The talented young golfer is being remembered as a spirited and talented individual whose presence left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.
“With profound sadness and heavy hearts, we announce the untimely passing of our beloved son, Gurmantar Singh Gill, who was tragically taken from us in an accident,” the family wrote in a statement on his funeral notice.
“Though Gurmantar Singh Gill was with us for only a short time, his spirit touched the hearts of all who knew him. We come together to remember the joy and love he brought into our lives, even in the midst of our sorrow.”
A spokeswoman for CDC, the company that operates the bus, said staff were devastated by the incident. The investigation into the fatal crash is ongoing.
The bus driver, a man in his 60s, was uninjured, as were the six children who were on board the bus at the time. Another person was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital on Tuesday in a stable condition. It’s understood the man was also a passenger on the bus.
Authorities are urging any witnesses to come forward if they have not already done so, to aid in the investigation.
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