A “wonderful” father who died in a car accident on a foggy back country road has been honoured with one final wish.
George Hassett was a passenger in a car when it collided with a truck on the Hume Highway near Tarcutta in the NSW Riverina region on Friday.
The father of two was flown to Canberra Hospital and his family revealed he was able to fulfil his last wish: to donate his organs.
“To say everyone is in shock is an understatement. George always was looking out for others,” family friend Meg Dean said.
“George and partner Aly decided long ago their wish would be to donate organs to people in need.
“We all hope that maybe the people out there feeling like we are now get some solace and comfort from George’s gifts of life.”
The tragedy comes as a particular shock to partner Aly, with the couple due to be wed in November.
But a Facebook post taken after the tragedy revealed the young mum had tied the knot with her partner earlier.
“Married the love of my life – Forever,” Ms Hassett wrote in a post adjoined by a photo of her holding her partner’s bloodied hand.
Only days earlier, Ms Hassett had shared photos of the happy couple with the caption: “Four years. Happy anniversary.”
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Ms Hassett said she had spoken to her partner on the phone shortly before the tragedy.
Ms Hassett asked her partner to rope off the horses before exchanging “I love you” with one another for the last time.
“I still plan on changing my name legally, we have already signed the notice of intent to marry,” Ms Hassett told The Daily Telegraph.
“We were both very similar, both rode horses and just loved the country lifestyle. We were ready to rock and roll.
“(The children) came to hospital and recognised him, before touching his hand and saying goodbye.”
A GoFundMe campaign set up on Tuesday to help the family get back on their feet has so far raised almost $200,000 from 877 donations.
“(Mr Hassett) was a wonderful son, brother, nephew and friend to so many. Truly an Australian of the highest order,” said Ms Dean, the campaign’s organiser.
“We are asking for people to please dig deep so we can help Aly and the boys through this horrendous time with general expenses while Aly is unable to work, as she will be caring for her two little ones without George.
“The intention will be to set these beautiful boys’ future up with schooling, get them into a place of their own and help Aly as best we can through this tragedy.”
The death and subsequent campaign triggered an outpouring of support from the community.
Rob Gatti, one of three people who donated $10,000, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.”
“Absolute tragedy. Such a bloody good man taken too soon,” Matthew Shannon said.
“My condolences go to all his family and I’ll be thinking of you all during this time.”