Tragic accident

By Tania Martin
DRAWN to the outdoors and impatient to grow up, Mt Evelyn year seven student Blake Aartsen was tragically killed in an excavating accident last week.
Blake, 13, died on Thursday shortly after 7.30am when the mini Kanga excavator he was driving on his parents’ Westhill Drive property tipped over and crushed him.
At the time of the accident, Blake was helping his dad landscape the family front garden by shifting piles of gravel.
Blake had just started school at Monbulk Secondary College and had made several new friends.
His family said he would be remembered for not only his cheeky grin and love of outdoors, but for his passion to always help others.
His father, Peter, said Blake died doing what he loved – working outside.
He said Blake was so impatient to grow up and couldn’t wait to get out there and live life to its fullest.
Mr Aartsen said although many people have pointed fingers saying Blake shouldn’t have been driving the excavator, they wouldn’t say that if they knew him and how big he was.
“He was as big as me and would even lift me up,” he said.
Mr Aartsen said Blake was special in the way that he loved the outdoors and was always offering a helping hand.
He loved riding his motorbike, and he even had his own shed in the back yard where he spent most of his time.
“He was unique – a 13-year-old boy who hated television,” Mr Aartsen said.
“All he needed was open air and space and he would be happy.”
His mother, Nikki, said Blake made an impression on everyone he knew. She said it was his mission in life to help people.
“He would stop and say hello to everyone and have a chat and always offer to help people out,” she said.
Blake’s death has affected more than just his family and has rocked the Mt Evelyn community.
Builders from a construction site around the corner from his house downed tools as soon as they heard about his death.
“I don’t even know them (the builders) but Blake knew them all by name – he would just stop and talk to people,” Mr Aartsen said.
Monbulk Secondary College principal Pam Glover said staff and students were deeply saddened to hear of Blake’s death. “Blake had only been with us for a very short period of time and we were just getting to know him,” she said.
Blake’s death has also rocked the Mt Evelyn Primary School community where he spent his early education years.
Principal Phil Comport said the school was shocked and saddened by what had happened.
“Blake was a great kid and well like by all at the school – he had a cheeky grin and was always full of fun,” he said.
Michael Birt of WorkSafe said the accident was under investigation and a report was being prepared in conjunction with police for the coroner.
Mr Birt said Blake’s death was a tragedy but accidents involving children on earth moving equipment were becoming more common in Victoria.
Blake’s funeral will be held on Monday, 26 February at St Michaels Church in Kalorama. The family is calling for donations to be made to the Make a Wish Foundation instead of bringing flowers to the funeral.
“It is something Blake would have wanted to donate to because he just loved helping people and making them happy,” said Mrs Aartsen.
People will also be given the opportunity to write messages of farewell on Blake’s coffin.
The Aartsens said they wanted to thank the community for its support in the days since their son’s death.