Local news:
A small farming community is mourning the tragic death of a young boy after a car he is understood to have been driving rolled over.
Emergency services received reports a ute had crashed about 11am on Girraween Road in Graman, 50km northwest of Inverell, on Thursday.
The supposed driver of the car, 11-year-old Leighton Stevens, was treated by paramedics but was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 
It is understood Leighton had been driving with another 11-year-old to a nearby family paddock when he swerved to avoid a cow which had walked onto the road, the Daily Telegraph reported.
While under the legal driving age, it is common practice for young children to learn how to drive on private regional properties.
The was airlifted to Lismore Base Hospital in a serious condition.
The small town of just over 100 people — according to the 2021 census — has been left heartbroken by the tragedy, with a GoFundMe launched on Friday honouring Leighton as “the heart of our little Graman community”.
“Leighton was a cheeky, fun loving country kid,” the fundraiser reads. “(He) loved his fishing, farming, footy, hunting and most of all family was everything,”
“He brought smiles, laughter and you couldn’t help but love him.”
The Warialda Wombats Junior Rugby League Football Club, where Leighton played, remembered him as “well mannered”, “kind hearted” and “a true role model for our younger ‘bats’”.
“Leighton was a pleasure to have around the junior league fields,” the club’s committee wrote in a Facebook post sharing the “absolutely heartbreaking news” of Leighton’s death.
“We hope you have found yourself a footy field up their mate and an endless supply of balls.”
The club’s senior team also paid tribute, saying that he had a “massive impact” on game days.
“Travelling to away games to run the tee and water, even if his siters weren’t playing, just to be there for the big boys,” a post on the club’s Facebook page read.
“We need to rally around the family in this difficult time and show our support and love.”
The tragedy comes just weeks after a teenager in the community suddenly died while sleeping.
“So much loss over the past few weeks of two beautiful young children,” one local wrote.
3 min read
1 min read
Stream free on
3 min read
2 min read
1 min read
2 min read
2 min read
2 min read
1 min read
2 min read
3 min read
2 min read
1 min read
2 min read
2 min read
2 min read
1 min read
2 min read
Stay informed with the free 7NEWS app. Available on iOS & Android.
