Thursday 15 September 2022 12:53 AM Lily van de Putte: Buxton crash victim's dad John calls for stricter P-plate ... trends now
A grieving dad is calling for stricter laws for P-platers, including speed and passenger limits, as he prepares to say goodbye to his beloved daughter.
John van de Putte's 15-year-old girl Lily was one of five teens tragically killed when a Nissan Navara ute smashed into two large trees in Buxton, southwest of Sydney, on September 6.
As he prepares for Lily's funeral on Friday, Mr van de Putte wants to do everything he can to ensure her passing isn't in vain.
He is planning to lobby the NSW government to enforce stronger laws governing provisional drivers and harsher penalties for those who break the rules, which he hopes will be Lily's legacy, the Daily Telegraph reported.
'P-plate laws need to be stricter. Why can't they have speed immobilisers? That would be a very positive start,' Mr Van de Putte said.
Both sides of NSW politics have indicated their willingness to meet with the families of the Buxton crash victims to discuss stricter laws for young drivers.
A heartbroken John van de Putte is determined to ensure the tragic death of his daughter Lily (pictured with her dad) isn't in vain
State roads minister Natalie Ward and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet agreed they would be willing to meet with grieving families to discuss tougher laws, as Opposition Leader Chris Minns did when families are 'ready', the Daily Telegraph reported.
Mr Minns wants a review into how repeat speeding offenders can keep their provisional licence.
It was alleged in court last week the licence of alleged P-plate driver Tyrell Edwards licence had been suspended for two three-month periods in less than 18 months.
It comes as Mr van de Putte opened up to Daily Mail Australia about his heartbreaking final kiss with Lily.
Lily was so worried he wouldn't come home from surgery last Tuesday that she ran out into the driveway to say goodbye, hugging him as though it was the last time they would see each other.
He tried to assure her daughter everything would be OK, giving her one last kiss and hug and saying: 'You have nothing to worry about. It's only a simple operation, I love you, and I'll see you tomorrow.'
When he woke following the operation on Wednesday, Lily was dead.
Also killed in the crash were Lily's best friend Gabriella McLennan, 14, along with Summer Williams, 14, Antonio Desisto, 15, and Tyrese Bechard, 16.
Lily van de Putte, 15, (pictured) who died last Tuesday in a ute crash, along with four of her friends
The alleged P-plate driver, Tyrell Edwards, survived with minor injuries and was subsequently charged with five counts of dangerous driving occasioning death. He was refused bail in Picton Local Court on Thursday.
Despite initial reports alleging most of the young passengers were not wearing seatbelts, Mr van de Putte alleged that all passengers were wearing seatbelts, aside from one.
Mr van de Putte remembered his last conversation with Lily fondly.
He was about to be taken to hospital before kidney surgery - a relatively standard procedure for people who have multiple sclerosis, like Mr van de Putte.
'As I was leaving for hospital, I gave her a kiss and a cuddle and I played some weird music to annoy her,' he said.
'Then she ran out into the driveway to give me a hug, and I left.'
John van de Putte (pictured with Lily) was in hospital when his daughter died in a car accident
Lily van de Putte (pictured) was staying with her friend's family on the night of the crash
Overnight on Tuesday, while he was unconscious, Lily - who was an aspiring electrician - sent him a text message that read: 'Dad, can I go out?'
He read that message on Wednesday morning,
