In the quiet devastation of a Gold Coast hospital room, 15-year-old Beau Bradford whispered his last words from a coma: “Don’t cry mommy, I love you…”

His mother, voice breaking, recounted the moment doctors confirmed irreversible brain damage after Beau was crushed by falling building materials on a Surfers Paradise worksite Monday morning. “He was only 15,” she wept to 7News. “No parent should ever have to hear their child’s final goodbye like that. No parent should ever have to make that decision.”

Beau had secretly dropped out of Year 10 to work construction, determined to ease his family’s financial hardship after his father lost his job. He dreamed of becoming a carpenter and building his mum and little sisters a forever home. Instead, he became the family’s provider far too soon, handing over every pay packet for rent and groceries.

On Monday, December 2, around 7 a.m., Beau was labouring illegally on a luxury apartment site when tragedy struck. Paramedics fought for nearly an hour at the scene, but the catastrophic head injuries left no hope. After days on life support, his family made the unbearable choice to let him go, surrounded by love.

“His heart was so big,” his mother said. “He just wanted to take care of us. And now he’s gone.”

Queensland Police and SafeWork are investigating the site operator and contractor. Charges, including potential workplace manslaughter, are under consideration.

A GoFundMe for the Bradford family has raised over $250,000 in 48 hours. Beau’s school friends have left his work boots and hard hat at a growing roadside memorial.

Rest peacefully, Beau. You were already your family’s hero. No parent should ever have to endure this pain.