By Brendan Rees
The tragic death of a young Pearcedale man has rocked the community as tributes flowed for the “gentle giant” who had a “beautiful heart.”
Jayden Morgan, 21, was airlifted to hospital after he was struck by a car on Pearcedale Road in Cranbourne South about 11pm on Saturday 17 November – but sadly succumbed to his injuries.
Jayden had just left a party and was waiting for his Uber lift when he stepped onto the roadside, where the oncoming driver didn’t see him.
Police say the male driver of the car stopped to assist and was assisting police with their enquiries.
The sudden death of the “adored” son of Leanne Morgan and “much loved brother of Tahlia” has shocked family and friends.
“A week today my world changed my heart was shattered and my family was broken,” Leanne said.
“I’ll always love you and hold you close to my heart; you will always be my baby boy. Fly high beautiful angel, love you to moon stars and beyond.”
Jayden’s friends have remembered the popular member of the Pearcedale Football Club as an “incredible person” who had a “heart of pure gold.”
“When I was down you were there for me like nobody else, you always put your friends and family before yourself,” one posted on Facebook.
Another said: “You were loved by so many. This breaks my heart! Life can be so unfair.”
“Thank you Jayden Morgan for everything you’ve done for me and all the memories I’ll never forget, you are such an amazing person inside and out,” one friend wrote.
Jayden, a keen Melbourne Demons supporter, worked at Bunnings in Hastings and had also started his plumbing apprenticeship in February.
Leanne said he was a hard worker, with his boss recognising he had a “good future in the trade,” who had “recently elevated him to being able to go out and work in his own truck.”
He completed his schooling at Pearcedale Primary School and Kooweerup Secondary College.
A makeshift memorial was made at the front of Jayden’s family home in his honour, which was adorned with blue and red scarves and VB cans in tribute to “the humorous and fun loving,” man who “was loved by so many people.”
More than a thousand people united at the Stratus Chapel at Bunurong Memorial Park in Dandenong South on Friday 23 November to pay their respects.
