THE heartbroken daughter of a man killed in a crash at Woodvale at the weekend has remembered him as a beautiful and gentle soul.
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Tributes flowed for Tony Farnell after a motorist came across a vehicle on Bendigo-Pyramid Road, near Hughes Road, in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Police said the vehicle had travelled across the gravel shoulder of the road before crashing into a large number of trees.
Mr Farnell, 48, died at the scene. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
Erica Farnell, 20, said her father was a truck driver and a family man.
"He lived in Eaglehawk for most of his life and had been living in Woodvale with his best mate Toni for about six months," Erica said.
She said her father was born in West Yorkshire and moved to Australia as a child.
"He moved back to England when he was in his twenties and met my mum, Ingrid, had me and we moved to Australia as a family in 2004," Erica said.
Mr Farnell became a father again after his relationship with Erica's mother ended.
Erica said her father loved her and her 10-year-old sister, Lacie, more than anyone could begin to imagine.
"And we treasured him more than words can explain," Erica said.
"He was always there for anyone who needed help or guidance and he gave the most wonderful hugs that actually made you feel the love he was giving you.
"He had the most beautiful and gentle soul.
"My dad is the most wonderful human being I have ever met."
Erica said she was at a loss for how to move forward without her dad, who was her best friend.
"I don't know what I'm meant to do next. Everything is darker without Dad and the world will never be the same," she said.
"My dad was my everything. He is my strength now more than ever and I'm going to do my best to make him proud of me every day for the rest of my life.
"Because of my dad I know what true love, strength, courage and hard work looks like and I will be forever grateful to him for that.
"It breaks my heart that my guardian angel had to grow his wings so soon but I know he will always be watching over me with love."
Thirty-six people have lost their lives on Victorian roads this year.
Bendigo Highway Patrol is investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash at Woodvale and has appealed for information.