Lachie Horan left an indelible mark on everyone that had the pleasure of enjoying his company.

That's what made 18-year-old Lachie's tragic passing in a car crash near Bridgewater on Sunday so heartbreaking for his family and friends.

Lachie's younger brother Oscar was in the passenger seat of the vehicle.

The 14-year-old was flown by air ambulance to the Royal Children's Hospital with head, leg and arm injuries.

He underwent surgery on Monday and is in a stable condition.

Lachie's father, David, his mother, Jodie, and Oscar, paid tribute to their son and sibling via a statement to the Bendigo Advertiser on Tuesday.

"Our hearts are broken. Such an amazing, well-loved young man with a wonderful future ahead of him.

"He will be missed by so many people. We love you. Fly high, kick goals and smack sixes,'' Mum, Dad and Oscar.

David's partner Kellie and her daughter Imogen were left heartbroken by Lachie's death.

"Lachie, you were really one of a kind and although you sometimes made us cry, you made us laugh a thousand times more. Life will not be the same without you in it. Love Kellie and Imogen."

"Such a huge part of our lives. We love you. We'll miss you. Heartbroken,'' Jodie's partner Tim and his sons Jack and Sam stated.

Lachie, or "Ticca" as he was known to his friends, was in his final year of study at Catherine McAuley College.

His death has rocked the school community.

On Monday, a group of Lachie's friends gathered at the school to honour their mate by placing a "RIP TICCA" sign where he would spend lunch breaks telling tales and making them laugh.

Another memorial was set-up in the school's chapel where students and teachers have laid flowers and their favourite photos of Lachlan.

"Lachie was the biggest character in the year level,'' CMC deputy principal Ben Fitzpatrick said.

"He was the kid that everyone knew. He was a big lad with a big personality.

"He'd talk to anyone about anything and he had a big impact on people whether that was students or teachers.

"When teachers were on yard duty during lunch he would go out of his way to say hi and have a chat.

"He just knew how to connect with people."

Selfless, cheeky, mischievous, a wonderful friend and great team-mate is how Lachie will be remembered by Maiden Gully YCW Football Netball Club.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Lachie loved playing for the Eagles in the Loddon Valley Football Netball League.

"Lachie had a heart as big as himself and would do anything to help around the club,'' MGYCW under-18 coach Nick Patching said.

"When we played Calivil United this year they were short for players and to ensure we got a game we had to give them some players.

"Lachie was the first player I asked to play for Calivil United because I knew he'd say 'yes, no worries I'll do it for the team'.

"He'd spend time in the canteen, work on the gate or run water.

"He loved the club and everything that came with it. In all my years of coaching I've never had another kid like him.

"He wasn't our best player, but he was the heart and soul of our team.

"He was a ripper and we're going to miss him dearly."

While footy was Lachie's winter passion, he loved his cricket in the summer.

A junior player with Strathdale-Maristians, Lachie made the move to Bendigo District Cricket Association rival Eaglehawk a couple of seasons ago to play alongside some of his best mates.

It didn't take him long to make his mark with the Borough on and off the field.

With willow in hand he had a penchant for belting boundaries. In the field he was quick-witted and thrived on banter with the opposition batsmen.

"Lachie was a larger than life character,'' Eaglehawk under-18 coach Cameron King said.

"The boys really enjoyed his company and he was a big personality. He loved his time at Eaglehawk.

"On the field he was naturally talented, but he was a frustrating talent because I'm not sure he realised how good a cricketer he could have been.

"He opened the batting, liked to play his shots, had a good eye and was a good hitter. He had the talent to be a really good cricketer."

Sedgwick Cricket Club in the Emu Valley Cricket Association was a huge part of Lachie's life.

As a youngster he watched with pride as his father played with the Rams.

When Lachie was old enough he grabbed his opportunity to pull on the Rams' cap.

"Lachie was a great kid and a credit to his family,'' Sedgwick president Alan Friswell said.

"He had so many mates who loved him."

Lachie's employers Bridgewater Bakehouse and Kia-Ora Piggery expressed their love for the teenager.

"You brought us sunshine, you brought us laughter. Work without you is going to be so much harder. We will miss you Lach. Funny, smart and strong. Fly high our friend. In our hearts you'll forever belong,'' the staff of Bridgewater Bakehouse said.

"Lachie, you were happy to take on anything, always wanting to learn. Your smile and casual nature made you a pleasure to be around. We'll miss you, rest in peace,'' the Kia-Ora farm crew said.

Whether it was cricket, footy, work or school, Lachie's sense of humour is what his friends and team-mates will miss most.

Patching said Lachie was the type of person every sporting team needed.

"The one thing that's put a smile on our faces since Sunday is remembering how much fun he used to have,'' Patching said.

"He used to get up to a bit of mischief, but everyone loved him for it.

"I'd read the team out at training on a Thursday night and Lachie would be named in a forward pocket.

"By the time I got home and looked at my board to post the team on Facebook, the magnets had been changed without my knowledge.

"Lachie's name was the only one in the forward line with everyone else pushed up the ground, so that he was the only player inside forward 50.

"That's the sort of stuff he did all the time. I'd give anything for him to do it again."

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