Harry Davies, 18, was killed after the Jeep in which he was a passenger swerved off a road in the Outback to avoid a kangaroo.

The former Hutton CE Grammar School pupil, from Farington, near Leyland, had emigrated with his girlfriend of two years Jodie Southern and their four-month-old son Alfie on November 5.

They had moved to Perth on the west coast of the country to live with Jodie's father.

Harry was in a 4x4 with her brothers Rhys and Connor and a friend on Saturday when it came off a dirt track, crushing the teenager. He died in Rhys's arms 20 minutes later.

Jodie, 18 – who is originally from Much Hoole – and baby Alfie were not involved in the accident.

Paying tribute to his "larger than life" son, dad Stephen, 46, said: "We are all heartbroken. We had to get over the heartache of him going to Australia and this is indescribable.

"He had thought seriously about his future and had the opportunity to go to Australia."

The Manchester United fan – known as Haz by friends – was a former pupil at Clayton-le-Woods CE Primary in Back Lane and had worked at Glover's Bakery, Bamber Bridge, before he left for Australia.

When he left school he dreamed of joining the Army but his asthma meant he was ruled out.

Stephen, a regional officer with trade union Unite, added: "Harry was full of life and I never heard him say a bad word about anyone. We want to remember the happy times. He adored his son and Jodie and it is so sad he will never see Alfie grow up. He was a smashing lad."

His mother Tracey, 43, and brother Ben, 16 – a sixth form pupil at Hutton Grammar – have travelled to Perth to bring his body back to the UK.

Dozens of his friends have left messages on the social networking site Facebook in his memory.

Friend Andy Napier said: "I've known you since cubs mate and that all conquering football team of ours.

"I'll never forget knocking about with you as kids with Karl and Martin and all the memories I have of you from school."

Close pal Karl Brooks, 19, added: "Harry you are the funniest person in the world, growin up with you was buzzin. Every day you made me laugh without fail. People say remember the good times, at least that shouldn't be too hard because there weren't any bad times."

Oliver added: "Harry was a legend. Amazing guy – I'm sure everyone else agrees."

A memorial evening has also been arranged at the Anchor Inn, Hutton, on December 6.

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said consular assistance was being provided to his family in Australia. His funeral will be held at St Paul's Church, Farington, but a date has not yet been set.

Mourners will be asked to wear football shirts in tribute.

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