Molly Lord with equestrian awards she won in 2008.
The devastated family of Kembla Grange teenager Molly Lord have described their beloved daughter and sibling as a ‘‘bright, successful and talented’’ young woman.
Molly, a 13-year-old student at Holy Spirit College, was killed on Wednesday when a quad bike she was riding on the family’s semi-rural property rolled on top of her.
In a statement released yesterday afternoon, the Lords paid tribute to the talented horserider, who was ‘‘loved dearly by her family, friends and anyone who met her’’.
‘‘She was a shining light in the lives of many; especially to her loving family who have all said it had been a privilege to have had her in their lives,’’ the moving statement said.
The Lords yesterday thanked the community for its support during their ‘‘extreme grief’’.
‘‘The Lord family would like to extend their sincere gratitude for the outpouring and overwhelming support and generosity of the community, including emergency personnel who attended the scene yesterday,’’ the family’s statement said.
‘‘Everyone who ever knew dear Molly loved her.’’
Surf lifesaving and netball were among Molly’s interests, the family said.
But her real sporting passion was reserved for horses, in which she excelled at national level.
‘‘Molly had achieved more in her short 13 years than most people would dream of in a lifetime,’’ the Lords said.
‘‘She was a highly decorated equestrian in the show horse world, competing at Canberra, Bathurst and Sydney Royals, and the Grand National Saddle Horse Championships at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre.
‘‘However, Molly’s proudest moment was winning the lead rein event at the prestigious Equestrian Federation of Australia National Championships at Werribee in Victoria when she was only seven years old.’’
The family said Molly attended her first pony club camp only last week in Jamberoo, where she spent three days riding and jumping with her horse Billy.
The family also touched on the tragic events leading up to Molly’s death and the efforts of her younger sister to save her.
Molly, her younger sister and two friends were carrying out a routine check of the family’s horses when the quad bike Molly was driving hit the gravel driveway and she lost control, according to the Lords.
‘‘The other three children that were on board managed to jump from the bike and escape injury when the bike rolled, leaving Molly with heinous head injuries,’’ the statement said.
‘‘Her younger sister immediately called 000 for an ambulance and her mother, who was in the office on the property, who, with the assistance of two family friends, attended the scene and commenced CPR until the ambulance helicopter arrived shortly after.
‘‘Emergency services worked desperately on Molly, however were unable to revive her.’’
