A devastated young mother grieving the sudden death of her husband in a crash in Perth’s south has revealed the huge gap he will leave in their family’s life.
Gabby and Kody Bell, 24, had spent almost nine years together and share two children — Violet and Laiken.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Heartbroken wife of Baldivis crash victim Kody Bell honours husband.
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Through tears, Gabby bravely spoke to honour the “proud, caring, empathetic and cheeky” father who was among three people tragically killed in a head-on collision in Baldivis on Wednesday afternoon.
“This is something I never imagined having to do. Losing you so suddenly has been the hardest time of my life,” she said.
“You have two beautiful babies that will forever miss you and will love you.”
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The widow is now trying to comprehend an excruciating reality — a future without someone she had dreamed of spending the rest of her life with.
“The hole in my heart will never be filled knowing you will not be here to see Laiken and Violet grow up, to walk V down the aisle like you intended to one day do,” she said.
“I’m proud to be your wife.”
Kody and his brother William Bell, 21, were passengers in an Audi A3 that collided head-on with a blue Kia Stinger on Sixty Eight Rd just after 5pm on Wednesday.
Jaziah Thomas, a 24-year-old father behind the wheel of the Audi, also died, while a third passenger, Tyler Rowe, 21, miraculously escaped with his life.
Gabby Bell has revealed the huge gap the death of her husband will leave in her life. Credit: 7NEWSKody will never be far from Gabby’s mind and heart, with his wedding ring now around her neck. Credit: 7NEWS
The Kia driver, a 44-year-old woman, also escaped serious injury.
Gabby told reporters she had been with her husband “just before” the accident, where he was dancing and singing to his favourite songs.
She said Kody will never be far from her mind and heart, with his wedding ring now around her neck.
“I will always honour him,” she said.
Gabby also paid tribute to William, saying he was a “funny, caring and vibrant man who loved many and was loved by all”.
“He was my children’s godfather and a proud uncle. I was proud to call him my brother-in-law,” she said.
Jaziah Thomas, Kody Bell and William Bell were killed on Wednesday. Credit: 7NEWS
She was glad the brothers “had each other until the very end”.
Gabby said she and the family had been overwhelmed by support for an online fundraising effort set up to cover Kody’s funeral and support his family, with more than $23,000 in donations pouring in so far.
A GoFundMe will be launched for William soon.
During her time with reporters, Gabby said the incident had affected many families in the tight-knit semi-rural suburb of Baldivis, which is located about 46 km south of Perth’s CBD.
She thanked first responders who did everything they could to assist crash victims, and wished a speedy recovery for survivors.
Tyler Rowe, 21, miraculously escaped with his life. Credit: Tyler Rowe /Facebook
Her words came on the same day “miracle” survivor Rowe paid tribute to his late friends from hospital, where he is in a stable condition.
“I love you boys and I’m going to miss you so much,” he said in a post on Facebook.
Major Crash investigators are working to piece together what led to the tragedy, with police to examine dashcam footage and speak with Rowe.
“Speed is certainly one of those factors that we’re looking at but we’re not going to consider that in isolation,” Major Crash Officer In Charge Adam Matson told reporters on Thursday.
“There’s a number of other factors that we’ve got to wait on, pending our vehicle examinations.”
Authorities have warned the investigation could take a number of weeks, but could stretch on.
The crash unfolded in front of homes in Baldivis. Credit: 7NEWS
The crash site in front of homes has been turned into a shrine of flowers and photos for the three dead.
Anyone with vision or information should come forward to authorities.
There has been 115 deaths on WA roads so far this year.
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