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When Tania Jennings hears news reports of 14-year-old children stealing cars to hoon around, her heart sinks.
Tania has lit candles for her daughter Tiffany’s 16th and 17th birthdays. She has blown up balloons and cut cakes. But Tiffany Jennings will always be 15.
A week after her birthday Tiffany grabbed the keys for a car at her mum’s Mitchell Park property with a friend and took it for a spin.
It was 1.30am. Tania and her partner were away at a family birthday. Tiffany drove down a dirt track and lost control. The car flipped. Tiffany wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, she was flung from the car and died instantly.
“All we know is they were on a dirt road, for one reason or another they lost control and the car flipped into a paddock,” Tania said.
Susan, Tania’s eldest daughter, called her mum to tell her the news. Tania’s life changed in an instant.
“At the start you’re sort of in disbelief – I didn’t think it would be Tiff. When you get to see the body, it is her,” Tania said.
“I was just upset that I couldn’t hold her. You couldn’t tell she had any injuries other than a mark on her head. She still had straw from the paddock in her hair.
“It makes you realise they are there one minute and you think they have their whole life ahead of them and the next minute they’re gone. And all the things you thought you could do with them, you can’t.”
Tania wishes these children, who defy their parents, could realise they aren’t bulletproof. That, like Tiffany, they could die.
“It’s just heartbreaking that kids keep doing it. Tiffany’s death has educated or taught those who were close to her. Her close friends really felt it and realised it can happen to anyone.”
The Jennings family celebrated youngest daughter Tiffany’s Sweet 16th in style. There were pink butterfly cupcakes, balloons and even a tiara. This year was more low key – a delicious dinner at Pizza Hut. There are already preparations for her 18th party. All the celebrations are without the person central to them – Tiffany.
Tiffany was a vivacious teenager who dreamed of being a lawyer. She always stood up for her beliefs and her two true loves were family and her horses, Tania said.
“She never chose to drive, she had the opportunity to, we had paddock bombs but she always chose to ride her horses, even if she wanted to go to Hungry Jacks or something,” Tania said.
Tania’s pain is ever present. She still works, but not a day goes by when she doesn’t think of Tiffany.
“It never gets easier … your heart breaks in a million pieces. Gradually they come back together, but there are always pieces missing. You can never be full again.”