Tragedy on Pacific Motorway: Young Footballer Found Dead – Billinudgel, NSW – 10 August 2025

What happened

Incident Overview

A fatal road incident occurred on Sunday evening, 10 August 2025, along the Pacific Motorway near Billinudgel, NSW. Multiple vehicles struck an unoccupied motorcycle before the body of its rider, 22-year-old Baylee Eldridge from Melbourne, was found nearby. The tragedy has deeply impacted both the local community and his football club.

Police reported that several cars collided with a motorcycle left on the road. Shortly afterwards, members of the public located Eldridge’s body nearby. He had been travelling from Melbourne towards Queensland at the time of the tragedy.

Community Tributes
Baylee Eldridge was a respected young footballer and much-loved member of Brunswick Football Club in Melbourne. Tributes describe him as a dedicated player and supportive teammate with an “infectious joy” for the game. His club praised his passion, commitment, and community spirit, noting he became a club favourite soon after joining in 2022.

His family and community remembered him as “an amazing soul” who gave his all in everything he did. Brunswick FC announced that both reserves and seniors will wear black armbands and hold a minute’s silence in his honour this weekend.

• Crash Date: Sunday, 10 August 2025
• Crash Time: Approximately 7:15pm
• Location: Pacific Motorway near Billinudgel, NSW – about 30 minutes south of Tweed Heads and close to the QLD border

• Unoccupied motorcycle (abandoned on roadway)
• Three cars – makes and models not specified

• Deceased: Baylee Eldridge, 22, motorcyclist, found deceased near the motorway
• Injured: No serious injuries reported among vehicle occupants; drivers taken to hospital for mandatory testing

The Pacific Motorway was partially closed while emergency services and forensic investigators attended the scene. Three vehicles involved were seized for forensic examination.

Investigation

The incident remains under investigation. Police are preparing a report for the coroner and continue to appeal for information.

Witnesses/Appeals
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage from the area is urged to contact authorities.

Appeal for Information

• Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000
• Online Reporting: [Crime Stoppers NSW](https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au)