Buxton crash: Lily Van de Putte dad’s touching tribute months after daughter died in ute smash

The heartbroken father of one of the five teens killed in a suspected ute crash has turned his own vehicles into moving moving shrines to his tragic daughter.

Lily Van de Putte, 14, was killed when a Nissan Navara she was allegedly traveling in crashed into trees on East Parade in Buxton, south-west Sydney, just before 8pm on 6 September.

She was allegedly murdered along with her Picton High School classmates Antonio Desisto, Tyrese Bechard, Summer Williams and Gabby McLennan, all ages 14 to 16.

John Van de Putte (left) turned his vehicles into mobile shrines for his daughter Lily (right), who died with four other teenagers in a horrific crash in September.

Lily’s heartbroken father, John Van de Putte, unveiled a set of custom-made stickers (left) to honor his daughter, and a license plate with her name and year of birth (right).

The driver and sole survivor, Tyrell Edwards, 18, has since been charged with five counts of dangerous driving resulting in death: dangerous driving and will face trial later this year.

Now, Lily’s heartbroken father John has revealed a set of bespoke stickers to honor his daughter, and a number plate with her name and year of birth on it.

The stickers feature rainbow-colored angel wings around an image of a purple lily above her name Lily Van de Putte, 2008-2022.

Above the wings is the heartbreaking message: ‘Forever in my heart’.

The stickers were placed on the rear window of the wheelchair-bound father’s family car and on the back of his Mercedes Sprinter pickup truck with the rego 08-LILY.

Mr Van de Putte, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, showed off the stickers in a Facebook post, adding: “Great Christmas gifts.”

‘Thank you all for your support x.’

Gabriella McLennan is shown on the left with her best friend, Lily Van de Putte. They died together in the accident.

John Van de Putte also revealed a Christmas tree ornament (left) inscribed in glitter with Lily’s name (pictured right decorating the family Christmas tree in 2019) and her best friend Gabby

John Van de Putte then posted a photo of his family with the Lily and Gabby bauble in prime position as the star on top of their Christmas tree.

She also revealed a Christmas tree ornament inscribed in glitter with the name of Lily and her best friend Gabby, who died alongside her in the crash.

She later posted a photo of her family with the ornament in prime position like the star on top of her Christmas tree.

The posts sparked an outpouring of grief and sympathy from friends and family who are still devastated by the tragedy.

The tribute was unveiled two months after the families of the teens killed in the crash were reunited for an emotional reunion.

Relatives and friends of the five who died in the horrific crash gathered for a solemn barbecue in a quiet park after organizers picked them up in a limousine.

One parent described the gathering as a ‘beautiful day…enjoyed by all’.

“We would like to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts,” they said.

“There were games for the kids, amazing food, gift packages and all the families were picked up with the free limo service which put so many smiles on everyone’s faces.”

Tyrell Edwards was allegedly behind the wheel when his Nissan ute crashed into a tree in Buxton

Antonio Desisto (pictured right) and Summer Williams (left) were also killed in the September 6 incident.

Tyrese Bechard (pictured) was killed in the car crash when a Nissan ute crashed into two trees on East Parade in Buxton

Mr. Van de Putte said earlier, just days after his daughter’s funeral, that he wanted to meet the parents of the driver accused of killing his daughter and her friends in the accident.

“I just want to give them a hug,” Van de Putte said at the time.

‘No hard feelings, no anger… I need to do it to close.’

Edwards was released on bail in October under strict conditions. He lives with his parents and does not contact anyone under the age of 18 unless he is accompanied by his mother.

Conditions placed on Edwards while he is out on bail include that he abide by a curfew, must not leave his parents’ home unless in the company of his mother, must not drink alcohol and must not get behind the wheel of any vehicle.

John van de Putte said he wants to meet the parents of Tyrell Edward (pictured), who was the driver and sole survivor of the crash, for a hug.

Tyrell Edwards will be released on bail to live with his parents (above) and is effectively under house arrest, unable to leave without the company of his mother Renee