Declan Phillips. Credit :

GoFundMe

• A 14-year-old Australian boy died after he was hit by a vehicle while walking to school
• He was identified by loved ones as Declan Phillips
• An investigation into the crash remains ongoing

A 14-year-old Australian boy died after he was hit by a vehicle while walking to school, leaving his family in “deep shock, disbelief and grief.”

The fatal incident occurred around 8:20 a.m. local time on Wednesday, July 16, the Queensland Police Service said in a statement. The boy died at the scene while the occupants of the car — the driver, a 17-year-old male, as well as two passengers, 41 and 16 — were not physically injured.

The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation.

Loved ones, who identified the boy as Declan Phillips, said he was making his way to Wynnum State High School in Brisbane when he was fatally struck.

“His chair which normally holds his school bag sits empty in the dining room,” Lisa Axam wrote in a message on GoFundMe to support Phillips’ family. “His room is quiet and still. All that can be heard in the family home are quiet voices and deep sobbing.”

He loved camping, collecting model cars and building with Legos, Axam recalled, sharing that like so many other teenage boys, he’d started putting money aside to buy his first car.

“He was very cautious and sensible, always being courteous and following road rules when walking, cycling and running,” Axam wrote.

In an update, the organizer said that the boy’s family “still cannot accept Declan is gone but know they have to push on” and are “incredibly appreciative of all the support, love and donations.”

“Tonight they visited the place where Declan was sadly taken from this world, and it is overflowing with floral tributes as well,” Axam wrote, sharing that in addition to funeral expenses, the family hopes to use the funds to create a public plaque in his memory.

Declan Phillips. GoFundMe

Following the boy’s death, a local Australian politician mourned the teen’s death.

“Our Bayside community sends its deepest condolences to the family and the entire Wynnum State School community,” wrote Joan Pease. “We offer our prayers to everyone involved in this tragedy, including the young driver and our first responders.”

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The Wynnum Wolves Football Club, where Phillips played in 2023 and 2024, also said they will “open its arms and hearts for the Phillips family” by establishing donation points during local matches this weekend and observing a moment of silence ahead of a game.

“If any Wolves members have the capacity to help, please do so,” club officials wrote.

His high school could not immediately be reached by PEOPLE for comment.