THE Batemans Bay community has been plunged into mourning once again with the loss of yet another young life on our roads.
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Trent Budinsky died in Canberra Hospital at 12.25am on Saturday, surrounded by his family, after being hit by a car while crossing Beach Road on Friday morning.
The 13-year-old was riding a non-motorised scooter across the road when the accident happened at the intersection of Edward Road at about 9.15am.
Over the weekend friends and family of the popular teenager gathered at the spot, drawing some small measure of comfort from being together at such a tragic time.
Yesterday, Trent's heartbroken family was still struggling to come to terms with their loss.
His father, Vlado, remembered his youngest son as an outgoing, active young man.
"You couldn't have had a better kid," Mr Budinsky said. "He was interested in everything - karate, soccer, basketball, swimming, tennis, camping.
"He loved his guitar - he had five - and helping his dad renovate the house. He was a very loving kid, truthful, honest and happy.
"Trent was interested in everything. Projects at school, woodwork, sewing, everything.
"He loved skateboarding, riding his bike and the scooter he was on when it happened."
The accident happened on the last day of school for third term.
The Year Eight Batemans Bay High School student had taken the day off in order to meet his older brother Adam, who was travelling home from Canberra, at the Batehaven bus stop. He never made it.
"He was riding his scooter with a friend when he was hit by the car," Mr Budinsky said. "It just missed his friend.
"It was an older woman driving, on her way to church. She couldn't see him. It was just one of those accidents. I don't blame her, it would have been different if it was a drink-driver.
"It was the third accident in that spot in the last 12 months but it was the worst one."
Trent was taken to Canberra Hospital in a critical condition but was already brain dead at the scene.
At the hospital Mr Budinsky and Trent's mother, Kerrie Evans, made the brave decision to allow his organs to be used for transplant.
"They rang me yesterday," Mr Budinsky said. "Trent has saved six lives already.
"One little baby has got his liver . . . they are going to contact us and let us know how the others go."
As well as shocking and saddening the Batemans Bay community, Trent's death has created waves of grief as far away as Europe.
"We have had family ringing from Europe, family coming down from Queensland, his aunties, uncles and cousins are here," Mr Budinsky said.
"We have had a lot of support from our friends. They try to cheer us up but it's getting worse every day. You look at things and just feel the tears coming up.
"I would also like to thank Trent's friends who have been very supportive in this hard time for me."
Trent is survived by his mother and father, brothers Robert, 22, and Adam, 16, and three sisters, Vladimira, 28, Viktoria, 27, and Natalie, 9.
A funeral service will be held for Trent in the Batemans Bay Catholic Church at 2pm today. Mr Budinsky's family, living in Bratislava and Slovakia, have organised to hold a church service for Trent on the same day.
