Loving father killed, son in coma after second major tragedy for Queensland family

A critically injured father has taken his last breath just days before his son is set to be woken from an induced coma.

The 43-year-old man and 10-year-old boy — both named Leslie Spencer — were hit by a car at the intersection of Kent St and Cambridge St in Rockhampton City about 11.40am last Friday.

The father and son, known respectively to loved ones as Les and Bubba, had been riding bikes to the boy’s primary school.

Instead, they were both taken to hospital with life-threatening head injuries.

“It shouldn’t have happened,” sister and aunt Elizabeth Langford told 7NEWS.com.au. Elizabeth was by her brother’s side when he died in Rockhampton Hospital on Sunday.

His injuries included multiple skull fractures, severe brain swelling and bleeding, and multiple rib fractures that punctured his lung.

The younger Leslie, who was airlifted to Brisbane Hospital, remains in an induced coma.

“He is being brought out of his coma in the next few days,” Elizabeth said. “His big sister is with him right now.”

Leslie’s cousin and the organiser of a GoFundMe arranged to support the family, Chloe Hughes said: “Our family is praying and hoping with everything we have for his recovery.”

Queensland Police are still investigating the crash, and have interviewed the driver, a 43-year-old man who was uninjured.

Elizabeth told 7NEWS.com.au that her brother’s death has created “a hole that no one else will be able to fill.”

“He was just an incredible person. He was a great dad. He really loved his kids.

“Just always good for a laugh, always being goofy and silly.”

Hughes described Les as a “strong, kind-hearted person who is good for a laugh, even on days you don’t feel like laughing. If Les is there, you’ll be laughing. No matter what life throws his way.”

And she said Les’ life did include “heartbreaking loss” — his eldest son Shawn died of meningitis five years ago, when he was just 14.

Hughes said that Les “continued to show incredible strength” to be present for his four surviving children and his granddaughter.

“He just pushed through every day, and did the best he could with what he was going through with Shawn,” Elizabeth said.

“He did battle some days, but he held everything together, just to be the best person and best father he could be for his kids, and the best grandfather for his granddaughter.”

His family-in-mourning will now need to navigate a tragic familial loss once again.

“We are now faced with the heartbreaking reality of saying goodbye to Leslie while also supporting his children through an unimaginable ordeal,” Hughes said.

”Any funds raised will help ease some of the financial burden during this incredibly difficult time and allow our family to focus on being together, supporting Leslie’s children, and giving Leslie the loving farewell he deserves.”