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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Ryan Fahey

Brit dad dies instantly after car smashes into tree when it careered off Australia road

A British dad-of-two hailed as a "fun-loving lad" has been killed in a car crash while on holiday in Australia.

Craig Bott, 38, who grew up in Rotherham, died instantly after smashing into a tree on a road near Perth.

He touched down in the country in January on a trip to decide if he wanted to uproot from the UK and live there permanently.

Chris and Julie Oliver, his parents, say that an appeal started by his twin brother, Glen, has already raised half of the £20,000 to repatriate his body.

His dad Chris said "time just froze" when police officers gave them news of the tragedy on their doorstep on March 16.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield, his mum Julie said: "It's a mum's worst nightmare, you go to bed and you've twin boys and you get up in the morning and you've got one boy."

Craig was a "family man", according to his devastated brother (Facebook)

She also described his as a "fun-loving lad" who "wanted to go and find a better life for all of them".

"But mostly he enjoyed spending time with his family", she said.

His twin brother Glen said Craig was a "family man who loved his kids passionately".

Speaking with the Rotherham Advertiser, Glen said: "Craig was full of life and loved to live life to the full, his warmth and happiness touched so many.

"He travelled to Australia in January and was hoping to come home in June.

Craig grew up in Rotherham and worked in the construction industry (Facebook)
An appeal to repatriate his body has already raised more than £10,000 (Facebook)

“He was loving his time [there] and regularly shared his travels and experiences through social media. His death came as a huge shock to us all and we are all still in disbelief."

The family wants to raise enough money so they can bring him back to the UK for the "funeral he deserves".

Craig leaves behind two children, his daughter Cadey, 16, and a son called Jaxson who is six years old.

Craig and his brother Glen had been "inseparable" as youngsters (Facebook)

The dad-of-two had lived in Herringthorpe, Rotherham, for the 10 years prior to his death.

He'd spent most of his life working in the construction industry.

The pair had been "inseparable" as youngsters, Glen said.

He added: “As identical twins, we looked alike, dressed alike and had many mischievous times as twins do.”

Glen said Craig was a "family man who loved his kids passionately".

He added that they were his "pride and joy".

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