The boyfriend of a nurse killed in the horror Brisbane tunnel crash has shared a heartbreaking tribute to the love of his life and “future wife”.
Lily Galbraith, 24, and her close friend Emma McLean, 23, were on their way to a wedding on Wednesday afternoon when the silver sedan they were travelling in was smashed into by a black Audi and believed to be pushed into a truck.
The Audi was driven at an estimated 200km/h by ex cop Bruce Daley, 56, who medically retired in 2014 and had struggled with mental health issues.
Ms Galbraith, who was the passenger in the sedan died at the scene, while Ms McClean was left fighting for her life in hospital.
Mr Daley also died in the crash.
Days on from the devastating crash, Ms Galbraith’s boyfriend Blayde Brummelhuis has shared a statement on social media, farewelling his “incredible life partner”.
“To the love of my life Lily, you are the most beautiful girl in every way,” he began the post.
“There was never a day when you weren’t enjoying life and lifting the people around you up. You came into my life when I needed you most and you made me the happiest man in the world.”
Mr Brummelhuis described Ms Galbraith as his “soulmate”, “best friend” and “safe place”, sharing he will cherish every second the pair spent together.
“Many people aren’t lucky enough to have someone like you in their life and I was fortunate enough to call you my future wife,” he wrote.
“Each day was made better by your beautiful big smile, your gorgeous eyes and your warm hugs.”
“I will miss you in every way … The way you made cooking meals together fun, the laughter we had just trying to brush our teeth together and our cleaning days where you knew I wasn’t much help but as long as we were laughing you were happy.”
Mr Brummelhuis shared the 24-year-old would lovingly call him “Goose” because of the laughter they shared.
“You will forever be my Little Lady. I know you will always be there watching over us all and keeping us safe,” he said.
“I will always remember dancing in our kitchen together every night and the shuffle you would always do because you knew it made me laugh.”
“So baby girl this isn’t goodbye this is just until next time. Save me a dance up there.”
“With every ounce of love I have, Yours forever, Your goose, Blayde,” he concluded the post.
The Nurses and Midwives Memorial Page Australia paid tribute to Ms Galbraith on Thursday.
“Rest in peace, Lily. Thank you for your service. Condolences to your family, friends and colleagues,” the post read.
“All the very best for Emma and sending love to her family as they wait to see how her progress is. We are also thinking of the bride, groom and any wedding guests also mourning.”
Ms Galbraith’s friend, Ms Mclean, who was driving the sedan, underwent emergency surgery at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital for critical injuries on Wednesday evening.
She remains in an induced coma.
Her boss, Dan O’Rourke, told 9News, the 23-year-old faces a “marathon” recovery.
“The doctors have advised it’s going to be a marathon for her to recover,” he told the outlet.
“She’s going to be in ICU for quite some time.”
“There are still multiple operations they need to plan for.”
Ms Mclean, from South Australia, had become engaged to her boyfriend just three weeks ago.
”Emma is the sort of person when she walks in the room, she brightens it up,” said Mr O’Rourke.
Queensland police Regional Duty Officer Acting Inspector Stephen Crabbe said the crash, which struck the eastbound section of the tunnel about 3.10pm on Wednesday, was “extensive” and spread out for “several hundred metres”.
Shocking photographs from the scene show the black Audi crumpled against the wall of the tunnel, with the exhaust pipe laying flat on the road.
Inspector Crabbe said firefighters were required to cut people out of vehicles.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles said, “My thoughts are with families of those affected — it’s an awful, awful crash.”
Separate GoFundMe pages have been set up to raise funds for Ms Galbraith’s family and to support Ms McLean.