Mr Danny Westhoff is being remembered as a much loved former Tanunda Football Club premiership player, coach, mentor and past president who died after a motor cycle crash just after 5.30 p.m. on Friday.
Mr Westhoff, aged 59, died when his motor cycle left the road and crashed into a tree at the intersection of Light Pass Road and Basedow Road, Vine Vale.
It is understood that despite attempts made by a passer by and paramedics to revive him, he was unable to be saved.
Mr Westhoff came from a prominent sporting family with his wife, Robyn a former netball player with the then Eudunda Netball Club and their sons, Matthew and Leigh still playing for Tanunda Magpies. Their other son, Justin was formerly a Port Adelaide AFL player.
With his son, Leigh, Mr Westhoff ran the family business, Westhoff Engineering.
Mr Kym Underwood, Tanunda Football Club president told The Leader the entire Tanunda Football Club family was very deeply saddened by the loss of Danny.
He said club members are now focusing their support on Mrs Robyn Westhoff and her boys.
Mr Underwood continued, saying, “Danny was a great mentor to me and a great person overall.
“It’s going to be a tough few weeks ahead, and it is incredibly sad.
“We will wrap our arms around the Westhoff family and will support them as much as we can.
“When I lived at Robertstown, I saw Danny play football at Robertstown. He was a great player.
“He was awarded Barossa, Light & Gawler Football Association Life Membership in 2017 and last year he was awarded Life Membership with Tanunda Football Club.”
Barossa Local Service Area, Chief Inspector Lauren Leverington, said a fatality in a small community like the Barossa impacts so many people, from the family and friends of the person who has lost their life to the broader community including the emergency services who respond.
“The ripples from this particular loss of life will be felt throughout the community and drives home how much of a myth it is to think “it won’t happen to me,” she said.
