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Brave little Chevon farewells daddy who was hero to all
8/05/2008


CHEVON Parker laid her daddy to rest yesterday with the man who helped save her life standing tall by her side. The East Albury youngster, 5, joined her mother Mandy and eight siblings at Glenmorus Gardens lawn cemetery as they said goodbye to Dave Parker.

Mr Parker, 39, was killed in Queensland almost two weeks ago when the truck he was driving rolled on the Cunningham Highway near Warwick. Trapped, he told little Chevon to get out and call for help. Warwick man Paul Maher was among the first on the scene and found the girl sitting on an embankment.

He and his wife, Monica, travelled to Albury to attend Mr Parker’s funeral, after which Mr Maher spoke warmly of the couple’s new “adopted granddaughter” Chevon.

“The first time I saw Chevy was in the light of the fire, and then in the ambulance with the oxygen mask on,” he said. “I wouldn’t recognise her from that night to today; she’s a beauty. She’s a brave girl, one of the best.” Chevon gave Mr Maher a framed photograph of herself to thank him for saving her life.

Mrs Parker said she was grateful to Mr Maher and the others who helped Chevon escape danger, including her husband. “Your beautiful smile will still light my days and in my sleep I will get to hold you,” she said in a eulogy.  “I want to thank you for saving our daughter’s life even when you couldn’t save yourself.  “You are a hero to me.”

Mr Parker, formerly Dave James, changed his surname when the couple married in 2005. They had four children — Maverick, 2, Zharlia, 3, Chevon, and Blade, 6. Mrs Parker also has Jayde, 16, and Koden, 13, from a previous relationship, while Mr Parker had three sons, Dennis, 13, and twins Keith and Bruce, 15, with a former partner.

David, a truck driver was trapped in his truck after it rolled when a steer tyre blew out. Before the truck caught fire and he lost his life, he encourage his 5yo daughter, Chevon to get out through the window, but not before he told her he loved her and to tell her mummy he loved her too.

Nine young children were affected by this tragedy and today his widow is still struggling with the sudden loss of her beloved husband

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Trans-Help assisted Mandy and her family following the accident and have given her support following her loss and heart ache.
The following is a message Mandy wrote in March 2009...

It was a cold night in April 2008,  when i felt my life was falling apart and i couldn't go on . I had just lost my husband,best friend and sole mate. Then came a call from what I can only call an angel.  She made me realise that i still had so much to live for and that i would get through this.My heart was broken and I was in tears as she spoke to me.

How can i go on without him?

How will my kids life without a daddy I asked her?

She replied "you will and they will and i know because i did".

That was what i needed to hear, someone who had been there ,who understood my pain. Everyone means well at the time but to touch base with someone that had lived through it was what I needed to hear.

Dianne was that angel and she helped me in every way possible. I just hope one day I find half the strength she has.

This is just one of the many families Trans-Help has been able to assist and give support to.