A Year 12 student at one of Sydney’s most exclusive private schools has died in a freak accident near his family’s remote farm, leaving a community in mourning.
Stirling Heriot, 17, was killed in a car crash near his family’s property at Quambone, 200km north of Dubbo, New South Wales, on Friday night.
A Devastating Loss for the School Community
Emergency services were called to Quambone Road at 6.45pm following reports of a crash and found a teenage driver dead at the scene. Police said the vehicle had “left the roadway and rolled”.
The King’s School in Parramatta, in Sydney’s west, paid tribute to Stirling on social media, describing him as a kind and generous student who was widely admired for his commitment to the school’s rowing team.
A Life Cut Short
Stirling was working on a major project, building a tandem-axle multipurpose farm trailer intended for use on the family property, when he passed away.
Many online paid tribute to the “kind” and “gentle” teenager whose life was tragically cut short “too soon”.
“This young boy brought joy, light, and laughter to those around him. In his short time here, he left a mark that time will not erase. His spirit was gentle, his smile unforgettable,” one person wrote.
A Legacy That Will Endure
A obituary shared online said the 17-year-old, who was born and raised in regional NSW, was “deeply connected to his local heritage”.
“Whether sharing laughter around a bonfire or helping neighbours with practical tasks, he embodied the very best qualities of Australian country life,” it read.
Year 12 students in NSW are due to sit HSC exams in under three months.