'Really good heart': Family and friends mourn father killed in Cowes crash
Family and friends are grieving a young father of three who died in a car crash on Phillip Island, as police continue to hunt for the driver who fled the scene of the collision.
Kyhl Weatherall, 27, was the passenger in the car that police say lost control at the intersection of Phillip Island Road and Ventnor Road in Cowes early on Monday morning.
The car struck a tree and Mr Weatherall died at the scene. The driver wasn't at the scene when emergency services arrived.
A police spokesman confirmed on Wednesday the search for the driver is ongoing.
Mr Weatherall has since been remembered as a dedicated father and friend.
One friend, who did not want to be identified, said Mr Weatherall had "a really good heart".
"It was such a shame that something like this could happen," he said.
Another family friend told The Age her and her partner had been friends with Mr Weatherall for eight or nine years.
"Kyhl was a genuine person who would do anything for those he loved," she said.
"This photo is his first 4x4 which he absolutely loved. This is Kyhl doing one of his favourite things, he loved to go four-wheel driving.
"He was a great dad and a real handyman around the house, he always worked hard trying to support his family. We will all miss him very much, the saddest thing is his wife Jess having to tell his seven-year-old that his dad will never be coming home and we will never see our mate again."
Mr Weatherall attended Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College in South Gippsland and got married on April 7 last year.
Others friends have taken to social media to remember the 28-year-old and call for justice over his death.
"Rest in peace mate," one friend wrote, the comment accompanied by a photo of a smiling Mr Weatherall.
Locals said that on Monday helicopters were circling the island looking for the driver, while police officers also did door knocks.
Detective Senior Sergeant Roz Wilson on Monday the driver might be injured.
"Any sort of impact like that could certainly cause injuries. They may well be injured, it’s hard to say ... they may require medical treatment," she said.
She called for anyone with information about the driver to come forward and talk to police.
The death of Mr Weatherall brought the 2019 road toll to 90, compared with 58 at the same time last year.
On Sunday afternoon, a five-year-old girl and 70-year-old woman died in a car crash in Victoria’s north-west that left three other people injured.
Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
- With Zach Hope, Matilda Boseley