Farewell To A Special Tiger

Newcastle Herald

Saturday September 4, 2004

By FRANCES THOMPSON Upper Hunter Reporter

THERE was sometimes more laughter than tears yesterday when the Aberdeen community farewelled teenager Kel Wright, who was killed in a road accident on August 28.

A crowd of close to 1000 people packed St Mark's Anglican Church and its surrounds to hear emotional accounts of how Kel, 16, lived life to the full.

Kel was one of two people killed in a wet-weather car accident on the New England Highway near Aberdeen.

Samuel Thompson, 5, of Muswellbrook, also died when the car in which they were travelling aquaplaned out of control and hit a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

The church gathering was told by godfather Michael Wright that Kel battled against the odds from birth.

Mr Wright said Kel was born with dwarfism and doctors said he would never swim or play a contact sport.

"He walked in half the time they predicted, he was a confident swimmer and he relished contact sport," Mr Wright said.

Kel's passion was the Aberdeen Tigers rugby league team, who were strongly represented at the church service.

A team jersey, covered in autographs, was laid on Kel's casket.

As the casket was placed in the hearse the team sang their anthem as a final farewell.

The service heard examples of Kel's sense of humour and fun, which was echoed by laughter as his friends and family recalled the memories.

Tributes were paid to Kel's parents, Ian and Debbie, of Aberdeen, for bringing him up as a "gentleman".

"The love he directed to others was a result of the way he was brought up," Mr Wright said.

It was the second Upper Hunter funeral within as many days for those killed in the Aberdeen accident. On Thursday, the funeral of Samuel was held in Muswellbrook.

Matthew Crump, 14, is recovering in John Hunter Hospital from serious head injuries.

© 2004 Newcastle Herald

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