By Xavier Smerdon
TEARS and tributes have flown at the funeral for one of the victims of a horror crash in Werribee last month.
Fifteen-year-old Aleshia Syme was one of three people killed when the car in which she was a passenger crashed into a power pole at the intersection of Bulbans Rd and Thoroughbred Ave about 9am on Saturday 26 March.
More than 500 friends and family packed a West Footscray funeral home to say their last goodbyes to their “little Alleycat”.
Well known Melbourne priest, Father Bob Maguire, conducted the funeral and spoke of the tragedy of losing such a young girl.
“The death of a young person shocks us as if the morning was suddenly overcast by blackness, the day suffering a dreadful eclipse,” Fr Bob told the congregation.
“This very grief is a token that death will take from us the most precious of our treasures which is love. It’s the tear of love that flows the fullest, the pain of love that aches the deepest and our thoughts of love that move us most profoundly.”
Some of Aleshia’s favorite songs were played as people crammed into whatever little space they could find to try and listen to the funeral.
Jamil Zakarie,17 and Hamish Roddick, 22 also died when their station wagon was wrapped around the pole.
Tarneit’s Carly Lloyd was the sole survivor and remains in the Alfred Hospital in a stable condition with internal injuries.
It is believed that Jamil and Aleshia were not wearing seat belts as they were thrown about 40 metres from the wreckage.
Police are still investigating the cause of the crash which has affected the entire Wyndham community.
Fr Bob said Aleshia’s death must act as a lesson to young drivers.
“The reflection I must now make to everyone present is an obvious one,” he said.
“Each of us here must bring ourselves to do something about, and campaign for the avoidance of the sort of tragedy that ended our beautiful Aleshia’s life, and the lives of so many others. Can we agree on that?”
Aleshia’s body was taken to Williamstown Cemetery while the huge amount of mourners released pink and purple balloons as a tribute to their friend, sister and daughter.
