Bibra Lake crash: Wife says late husband who was hit by rubbish truck, Brian Brabender, was ‘kind and gentle’

The devastated wife of a cyclist who died when he was hit by a rubbish truck on the way to work has described her husband as a “kind and gentle” man who loved spending time with his two kids. Brian Brabender was cycling to work about 4.30am on Monday — the same journey he had made for 15 years — when he was hit by a rubbish truck just metres from his destination, WA Limestone. Mr Brabender’s wife of more than 20 years, Jenny Brabender, told The West Australian going to work was his “second most favourite thing to do besides hanging out with the kids”. “It is extremely tragic that he was taken so soon and just metres from his workplace,” she said. Four WA Limestone staff members rushed to help after witnessing the crash, with one of them calling an ambulance. Despite desperate attempts to save him, Mr Brabender was declared dead at the scene. Ms Brabender felt peace knowing her husband was responded to quickly. “I am glad people were there and there so quick, especially grateful they were people my husband knew,” she said. Ms Brabender described Mr Brabender as someone “rare to anger”. “He was very kind, gentle, generous and patient, also very forgiving,” she said. Det-Sen. Sgt. Hugh Le Tessier from the major crash investigation section said the rubbish truck was traveling on Howson Way and made a left turn into Spearwood Ave to travel in a northerly direction before the fatal collision. The 58-year-old man driving the rubbish truck was not injured and is now assisting police with their investigation.