A motorcyclist who tragically lost his life on a Tasmanian highway just three days after Christmas is being remembered as a ‘fun-loving’ dad and grandad.
Hilton and Karen Chilcott were travelling around the south of the state when their motorcycle collided with a car in Taranna on the Arthur Highway last week.
Mr Chilcott died at the scene of the crash, while Ms Chilcott, who was a pillion passenger, was airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital with critical injuries.
The woman driving the red Mitsubishi ASX was also hospitalised with serious injuries.
“Karen and Hilton (mum and dad) … were involved in a motorbike accident on the 28th of Dec. Tragically dad has passed on, Mum is still fighting in ICU but kicking goals every day,” their daughter Amanda Morris wrote online on Monday.
She said the family’s Cafe Karma in Westbury will “remain closed for the foreseeable future” as they navigate through what is currently an “extremely difficult time”.
“I whole heartedly appreciate all reach outs of support and condolences but I do ask that you all please respect our privacy during this extremely difficult time that we are navigating.”
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Other family members say their “hearts are broken” at Hilton’s loss, describing him as someone who was “always searching for fun, jokes or mischief”.
Members of the local community have setup a GoFundMe campaign to support the family, which had raised over $1,200 as of Tuesday morning.
Police are continuing to investigate the incident and are calling on any witnesses that may have seen the ASX or a black Victory Kingpin motorcycle in the Arthur Highway area on December 28 to come forward with any information.
