Keep an ear out: Listening to music killed my boy, mother says

Wednesday, 30 August 2017

Keenan Matthes, 16, died when he was struck by a train at a level crossing in Ranui on April 20. His parents open up about their son who loved to set goals for himself.

He loved blasting music on his earphones, but unfortunately for Keenan Matthes it led to his death.

Keenan, 16, was struck by a train at a level crossing near his west Auckland home on April 20.

He was on his morning run with music blaring in both ears from his earphones – and failed to stop or hear the train coming at the Ranui crossing.

Keenan Matthes loved his friends, family and rugby, his mum says.

His family don't wish their loved one's fate on anyone else.

**READ MORE:

The Matthes family, from left: Keenan's dad Presley, sister Cecelia, mum Karamea, and sister Kalani.

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Keenan died at this level crossing on April 20.

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They've joined the One Ear Out campaign which highlights the risk of wearing headphones and earphones while walking down a street, crossing the road or a level crossing, and driving a vehicle or cycling.

Keenan's mum Karamea Matthes said her son would have championed the cause had it been one of his own friends who died.

His family now advocated One Ear Out whenever they could and have approached schools and parents – and even stopped people they saw wearing headphones on the streets.

Karamea Matthes said taking an earphone out of one ear was a 'strong safety message everyone should be aware of'.

'Everyone talks about self-responsibility and that's great. Teach your kids to be safe and watch out for stuff when you cross the road. But one small lapse of concentration; it only takes a second of being distracted and something like what happened to our boy could happen to you.'

Her husband Presley Matthes said they hoped only using one side of headphones when on the road would become a habit to people, 'like wearing a helmet or putting on a seatbelt'.

'If it helps helps somebody, a teen, or 100 people that would be awesome. If it helps just 10 people in Ranui than that's all we could ask for,' he said.

Karamea Matthes said she was not sure at first if their One Ear Out campaign was honouring Keenan 'in the right way' with 'having his face plastered everywhere, because he was a quiet boy'.

'But when all those people come back and say thank you, it really cements that we are doing the right thing – not just for Keenan but for everybody.'

She said losing her only son was 'very hard'. He had a big heart, loved his friends, was a 'mellow kid and an old soul'.

'He loved being outside and kicking his rugby ball around, pretending he was in this great stadium and all this people watching him and with his headphones on, listening to his music.'

The day before he died, Keenan had written goals he wanted to accomplish this year.

One of the goals included bettering his rugby career after playing in the Massey High School First XV, and having been awarded the most improved player the year before. The trophy was now named after him.

'[During the] school holidays kids just want to play around and do nothing, but not that boy,' Karamea Matthes said.

'He wrote down his goals the night before, what he wanted to do for the year, and that morning he got up to smash those goals and unfortunately this happened.'