Doveton’s Omary Sou will be sadly missed by his distraught family. He died in a horror Boxing Day smash near Sale along with two other men.By Rebecca Fraser
A DOVETON family is struggling to come to terms with the loss of their 17-year-old son after he was killed in a horror Boxing Day smash near Sale.
Omary Sou and two other men were killed when the four-wheel drive in which they were travelling crashed on Bengworden Road Cobains, just kilometres away from home.
Mr Sou’s 37-year-old uncle Sakun Pheng was driving the car and is in hospital fighting for his life following the collision.
Two other passengers survived the crash.
This week Mr Sou’s father and mother, who are divorced, expressed their grief and spoke of their struggle to deal with their loss as they prepared for the 17-year-old’s Cambodian funeral held yesterday (Wednesday) in Springvale.
Ho Pheng of Doveton said her son, who attended Doveton Secondary College before moving to Sale, was very clever and quiet and was a good boy who was loved by many.
“He liked school and wanted to go back to school and work in imports or exports or become a doctor,” she said.
“He was such a smart boy it is very sad.”
Mr Sou’s father, Noeum Sou of Doveton, said he had not spoken to his son for four months after he moved to live with his uncle, aunt and grandparents in Sale.
A friend called him at midnight on Boxing Day to tell him of the death.
“My friend rang me at midnight that night and I went to see his body at 11am the next day at Traralgon hospital,” he said.
“I could not believe it had happened. He was such a good boy.”
Mr Sou’s aunt Sophia Pheng said she was having difficulty coming to terms with her nephew’s death and wished she could give her life instead.
“It is hard to cope with the loss and it is very hard to talk about him,” she said. “He came to Sale to live with me and he was like a son to me.
“I have no children and I love all my nieces and nephews dearly, but he was the one person I loved most in the world.
“If I could take my life to bring him back then I would.”
Ms Pheng’s brother, Sakun Pheng, is clinging to life following the horrific crash.
She said her brother and nephew were extremely close and her brother was set to return to Cambodia and marry with the 17-year-old by his side.
“My brother just came back from overseas,” she said. “He had been in Cambodia to visit the woman he loved and was meant to marry her in June.
“When I told her what had happened she cried and she is praying for him to get better.
“Omary lost his other close friend Noeun (Vann) in the accident and they were both so excited about going over for the wedding and to see Sakun married.
“It is all very sad, but I don’t think my brother would want to live without Omary, that is how close they were,” Ms Pheng said.
