By ANEEKA SIMONIS
WHEN a Pakenham Upper family retired to bed last Thursday night, they never expected to be woken with the news that would change their lives forever.
Living and breathing every family’s worst nightmare, parents John and Vicki Berwick and older sister Alexandra said they were still trying to come to terms with the death of their 23-year-old son Michael Berwick – a passenger killed in a shocking car crash in Beaconsfield in the early hours of Friday morning.
“We are so extraordinarily devastated about the unfortunate accident,” John told the Gazette.
“We are still in disbelief and in the process of dealing with something that is every parent’s worst nightmare.”
Michael, a “born and bred Pakenham Upper boy”, was in his second year of mechanical engineering studies at Swinburne University of Technology.
John said his only son, who had completed his secondary studies at Haileybury College in Berwick, was incredibly gifted from a young age and was destined to do big things in his field.
“He was very much a mechanically minded boy on his course to make his mark in engineering. He was one of their talented students,” his father said.
From eight years of age, Michael took a great interest in mechanics which inspired his passion for dirtbike riding.
“In his teen years, he got interested in the Victorian Off-Road racing series. He was very active and very competitive,” John recalled.“He had great skill when it came to motorbikes and four wheel drives in terms of understanding what they could do and what their capabilities were like. He had an extraordinary respect and understanding of their limitations.”
Michael made regular weekend trips to Victorian High Country to four-wheel drive and ride his dirtbikes with mates.
John said his son was intelligent and inclusive and naturally took on a leadership role in his varied social groups.
“So many of his mates said whenever they were away with Michael, he was always taking the lead and initiative on so many things.
“He never saw the bad in anyone. He was never ever judgemental and would mix with anyone at any level.”
Michael, who celebrated his 23rd birthday on Monday 19 January, was killed in a single-car collision along Brunt Road in Beaconsfield at about 2.30am on Friday 17 April.
“If we were able to have Michael’s death stand for anything, it would be that boys and young adults have a better understanding about how precious life is,” Michael’s father said.
“We would love for young adults in our community to pause and think about how they might live life more sustainably … living life and making the most of each day but never at the risk of tomorrow.”
The incident is currently under investigation by the Major Collision Investigation Unit.
The Berwick family expect to hold their son’s funeral within the week.
A second fatal car crash in Yellingbo claimed the life of an 18-year-old Cockatoo woman on Sunday 19 April.
Police believe the woman died after she lost control of her car on Healesville-Kooweerup Road and hit a tree about 6.15am.
A Cockatoo CFA volunteer who attended the scene was later hit by a motorist who bypassed the police roadblock.
“He was knocked off his feet by the car and fell quite heavily,” read a post on Cockatoo Rural Fire Brigade’s Facebook page.
The volunteer was taken to Angliss Hospital with back injuries.
Anyone with information about either incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
