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Teen road deaths heartbreak

24 Nov, 2011 04:00 AM
THE communities of Knox and Maroondah are mourning following the deaths of two teenage friends within days of each other.

Less than two weeks after sobbing at the funeral of Boronia crash victim Ebony Dunsworth, Mooroolbark teen Jake Munro was also killed in a horror smash.

Police believe 16-year-old Jake lost control of the car he was driving on Mt Dandenong with four friends on board about 3am on November 12. The car slammed into a tree on Ridge Road near Bonnie View Road.

Ebony, 16, was killed on October 31 when the car in which she was a passenger crashed at Nar Nar Goon. Hundreds flocked to Ebony's funeral on November 8.

Mater Christi College vice-principal Tim Crowe said last week the incident had left Ebony's fellow students devastated and her family heartbroken.

"Many of her friends at Mater Christi College are remembering a fun-loving and loyal friend, renowned for her fearless riding of BMX bikes," he said.

"Even in their grief her family would like other young people to learn a lesson from this terrible tragedy and ensure safe travel options home from parties."

He said the school was grateful for the outpouring of support it had received from the wider community.

Knox BMX Club president Tony Richardson said Ebony was a member for more than 10 years and her death had devastated fellow riders.

"Eb was everyone's friend. She was well respected and a great rider," he said. "She had a buzzing aura about her. She could walk into the room and instantly be friends with everyone in there."

He said his children, Emily and Luke, had been close friends with Ebony and were struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.

"You just have to hope if anything comes out of this it's that it stops someone else from getting in the car and making the same mistake," he said.

Ringwood East Football Club president Peter Baker said the club was in mourning for Jake Munro.

"Jake was one of those boys who everybody liked; he was a likeable larrikin who was always happy," he said. "He liked to pushed the boundaries but he was a great kid."

Jake's coach, Robert Hubbard, said he would be remembered for making his teammates laugh.

"For his age, Jake was years ahead of the other boys," he said. "He was always team-oriented and will be greatly missed by the boys."

Hubbard called team members together last Tuesday night in order to support players struggling to come to grips with the tragedy. "They are hurting really bad," he said.

Close mate Byron Goldfinch said Jake was a loyal friend. "I'm going to miss the way he could just make everyone laugh," he said.

Jake was farewelled at a funeral on Monday at the Heritage Funeral Home, in Boronia Road, Wantirna.

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Taken too soon: Ebony Dunsworth will be remembered for her fierce love of BMX bike racing and for her fun-loving nature.
Taken too soon: Ebony Dunsworth will be remembered for her fierce love of BMX bike racing and for her fun-loving nature.
 Tragic scene: The Mt Dandenong site where  Jake Munro lost control of a car and died on  November 12. Picture: Wayne Hawkins
Tragic scene: The Mt Dandenong site where Jake Munro lost control of a car and died on November 12. Picture: Wayne Hawkins
Much-loved larrikin: Jake Munro will remembered for his ability to make people laugh and for football talent at the Ringwood East Football Club.
Much-loved larrikin: Jake Munro will remembered for his ability to make people laugh and for football talent at the Ringwood East Football Club.

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