22-year-old Hobsons Bay local and former Williamstown High School student Angus Collins has died following a truck collision in West Melbourne on Thursday, February 2.
Police said he was struck by a truck whilst cycling along Footscray Road at the intersection with Dock Link Road just before 12.30pm on Thursday, February 2.
Launched shortly after Angus’ death and with an initial goal of $3000, the Brunswick Cycling Club’s GoFundMe campaign to raise funds towards Angus’ funeral has raised more than $22,500 at the time of publication.
The GoFundMe page said Angus was “such a beautiful young man who always had a wonderful smile and brought energy and joy to all those around him”.
“You will always have a place in our hearts and will always be remembered for your kindness, your energy, and your constant and infectious smile,” the page said.
Angus graduated from Williamstown High School in 2018 and was studying sports science and sports management/business at Deakin University.
He was also involved in coaching elite road cyclists and aspiring adults and as a trainee physiologist at the Victorian Institute of Sport.
Angus was a competitive athlete racing at the state, national and Oceania level in road and track cycling, with his achievements including sixth place in the Australian National Criterium Championships and as the team leader for the state team at the 2016 national road championships in Toowoomba.
In a Facebook post, BikeWest representatives said pylons for the elevated freeway currently under construction had created a large blind spot for drivers along Footscray Road.
“Substandard cycling infrastructure is killing us, we deserve better,” the post said.
Speaking in Parliament on Monday, February 6, Gellibrand MP Tim Watts expressed his anguish at Angus’ death.
“Those who knew him have told me that he was a wonderful young man full of energy and enthusiasm,” he said.
“I want to express my deep condolences to his friends and family.”
Details: www.gofundme.com/f/angus-collins-funeral-support or www.amygillett.org.au
