Layla Lupica: Devastated mother of nine-year-old killed in quad bike crash pays tribute to daughter

The grieving mother of a nine-year-old girl who was killed in a quad bike crash has paid tribute to her precious daughter who “had such a big heart with so much love to give”. Layla Lupica tragically died of catastrophic injuries she received after she was thrown off the quad bike ridden by her father Steven Lupica in the Jarrahdale State Forrest less than a fortnight ago. Speaking publicly for the first time since her daughter’s death, Sasha Rapaic said her Layla “died doing what she loved”. Ms Rapaic said her daughter was a “tomboy” who was always inquisitive and destined for great things. “She was so self-aware and always articulated her emotions and feelings better than most adults could,” Ms Rapaic told The West Australian. “She had such a big heart with so much love to give, we truly were blessed to have her as our daughter. “The way her mind worked and how she just gave things a go and figured things out. She was unstoppable. A little girl who loved to push the limits and boundaries in every aspect of life.” Ms Rapaic said there were “so, so many things that we will never get to experience” with her little girl. “Your sweet 16th, your 18th, your 21st, getting your licence, your first heartbreak, getting married and having kids of your own one day,” she said. “We got nine wonderful years of you but have a lifetime of pain and experiences that we will never get to have with you.” The mother also expressed heartbreak that Layla’s sister had “lost her best friend”. “Marlee lost her sister and her best friend and she misses her so incredibly much and loves her so much,” she said. “Our life will never be the same without you. We love you baby and miss you so terribly much. “We know where ever you are you’ll be bossing everyone around and making sure they all know Queen Layla has arrived. “You were our sunshine, our strength and our drive to give you and Marlee the best wonderful life. We love you to infinity and beyond.” Ms Rapaic said the family loved spending time outdoors together and that the couple wanted to provide their daughters with a “country lifestyle”. “From the forest to the beach to everything in between,” she said. “We did this on a regular basis, every holiday we would pack up the car and go on an adventure somewhere. “From camping to fishing, to riding motorbikes, quads, to bushwalking chasing waterfalls and playing in creeks. “Our dream as a family was to one day live on a big block or farm with chickens and our own veggie garden, for the girls to ride the bikes and for Layla and Marlee to grow up with that country feel lifestyle.” Tributes have flowed online, as family members described their heartache over Layla’s death. “Words can not express the devastation of this reality,” her aunt Nadina Rapaic wrote. “I miss you like a hole in my heart. I wish I spent more time with you.” Layla and her father were riding the quad bike along a track when it rolled. Despite desperate attempts to revive her, she died at the scene. After the crash, major crash detectives examined the scene of the tragedy as they tried to piece together what happened. The investigation is continuing. However, it is understood the cause of the crash was a vehicle malfunction. Skid marks streaked the gravel where it appears the quad bike swerved off the main road before crashing. Late last month, Premier Roger Cook said “the hearts of all West Australians” went out to Layla’s heartbroken family. “I just think it’s a dreadful tragedy, and it must’ve been horrible for those who were on the scene and horrible for the family, and my heart goes out to them,” he said. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up by Peter Lupica, Layla’s uncle, as the mourning family take time off work. “There is nothing we can do to take away the pain in this devastating time as much as we all wish we could,” the campaign says. “We have created this page to ease some of the financial stress and allow the family to take time away from work to be together and grieve.” The campaign has raised more than $63,000 for the family.