A father-of-three was on his way to meet friends for dinner… a terrible tragedy means his family will be forced to face Christmas without him

A father-of-three has died after falling from an electric skateboard as his devastated family endured Christmas without him.

Luke Verrell, 45, rode his battery-powered board through Umina, on the NSW central coast, to meet friends for a 6pm dinner on November 25.

Mr Verrell was wearing a helmet when he fell from the board, which can reach speeds of up to 60km/h, and was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital with serious head injuries.

He died the next day when police confiscated his skateboard, which had previously malfunctioned, and reviewed local CCTV footage of the incident.

His younger brother Jimmy, 38, remembered Mr Verrell as the most generous man who was a devoted father to his three children Dylan, 25, Beau, 10, and Jemma, 6.

“We grew up skating and it was a different time then,” he told Daily Mail Australia.

“He wouldn’t let his kids get on a board without a helmet, knee pads and wrist guards.

“It wasn’t about being cool or anything like that, but we have to realize that we’re not invincible. They go so fast, especially on those electric ones.’

Mr Verrell was not wearing a helmet when he fell from the board, which can reach speeds of up to 60km/h, and was flown to Royal North Shore Hospital with serious head injuries.

But invincible is exactly how Jimmy had always thought of his older brother.

He barely remembers a time when Mr. Verrell didn’t have an injury or even make light of it while traveling to the hospital.

“During my childhood, there were maybe only two years where he wasn’t bandaged or injured,” Jimmy recalled.

“The number of times we’ve been called that Luke is in hospital because he fell off something and he just comes out, usually on crutches or with a bandage on his arm, and he’s fine.”

Jimmy said his family initially thought nothing of it when they heard Mr Verrell had been involved in the latest accident and had been taken to hospital.

“Me and his son Dylan were joking about it on the way to the hospital saying, ‘Watch out, he’ll be in the pub again this weekend,’” he said.

‘But after we arrived and the doctors told us how serious it was, reality hit us like a ton of bricks.’

Mr. Verrell died the next day, but Jimmy is especially grateful that his family and friends all had time to say goodbye.

Luke Verrell (pictured with his daughter Jemma, 6) was a devoted father

“There were more than thirty people in the hospital waiting room,” he recalled.

‘Lucas touched so many people. The number of messages I have received since then has amazed me.

‘Even local taxi drivers got in touch to say he was looking after them. It’s unbelievable how many friends that man had.’

Honoring Mr Verrell’s legacy is something that has been on Jimmy’s mind since his tragic death and he said he and his other brother Mark take it very seriously.

“Luke was like a father figure, he knew exactly how to guide and be a great sounding board. “He led by example, had the best manners, was kind and protective,” he said.

“He loved Dad, loved them so much and wanted them to be raised well so they would be good people.

“We will be there for the children in any way we can to teach them the same values ​​that Luke taught us.”

With Christmas quickly approaching and electric skateboards becoming a popular gift, Jimmy has urged caution when riding one.

“They go just as fast if you have a child or a big man,” he warned.

‘Luke had a breakdown before, had to send it back and just got it back.

“He’s finally found a way to go as fast as he did when he was younger, but everyone has to wear a helmet, it’s just not worth the risk, even for short distances.”

Jimmy is now raising money for Luke’s funeral costs. More information can be found at Instagram page.