Body of teen flown home
The body of a 16-year-old teenager who died in a scooter crash in Bali earlier this week will be flown back to Australia tonight.
The Central Western Daily yesterday reported Lochie Connaughton, from Orange in New South Wales, had been holidaying in Kuta with his family when he was killed in a motorcycle accident.
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Local police said the teen “lost control” of a scooter and drove into a concrete separator while driving out of the basement of the Marriot’s Stone Hotel around 10:00pm on Thursday.
He was treated at the scene, but later died on the way to hospital, Kuta police chief Wayan Sumara said on Saturday.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has confirmed the death, saying they were providing assistance to the family.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing assistance in accordance with the Consular Services Charter to the family of an Australian who died in Bali,” a DFAT spokesperson told the ABC.
“Due to privacy obligations we are unable to provide further information.”
Mr Wayan said the teenager’s parents were expected to accompany his body on a flight to Sydney from Denpasar tonight.
Over $51,920 was raised in just one day to help bring the teen’s body back to Australia via a fundraising site organised by family friend Billy Greatbatch.
“Lochie has played a big part in many peoples lives. All the funds will be used in helping the family return Lochie home and any expenses that may arise,” he said.
Today, a Facebook page set up to pay tribute to the teen showed photos of balloons being released in his memory.
Kuta police said the teenager and his friends were spotted by hotel staff walking from the lobby to the basement on the night of the accident.
He got on the scooter there, but it is believed his friends were not on the bike when the accident occurred.
It is understood that the teenager was wearing a helmet and was not under the influence of alcohol when the accident happened.