Hugh James Edwards, 14, was killed on a Yerong Creek property last week and was a former student of Henty Public School.

In a letter sent home to parents and carers, principal Tina Roworth expressed her sympathies and said the school will provide a counsellor to those who needed it.

She said the school will focus on helping staff and students in the coming months and that if students require assistance or notice strange behaviour, especially on social media, to say something.

The Lockhart Shire community was left reeling from the loss, which mayor Rodger Schirmer said was felt all the more during school holidays.

“I think any tragedy of this type has a huge impact on the community, especially smaller communities because everybody knows everybody,” he said.

“It’s a terrible tragedy that’s occurred through the most innocent of circumstances.”

The tragedy of last week’s fatality continues after a charge was laid against the alleged 14-year-old driver of a ute that killed another teen.

Police allege the 14-year-old was driving a white Toyota HiLux utility on a property at Yerong Creek on October 11 at 10.45am when it rolled.

Hugh Edwards, who was ejected from the ute, suffered serious injuries and died at the scene.

A 13-year-old passenger was also injured.

Riverina Police District’s Superintendent Bob Noble said on Monday that it was a difficult decision to charge the teen. 

The driver was issued a court attendance notice on October 14 for the offence of driving occasioning death, drive manner dangerous. He is due to appear before a children’s court on November 27.

Funeral details have yet to be announced.

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