THEY were inseparable. Ray and William Lothian were well-known around Hastings. Always together, as they had been their entire lives. The brothers, born two years apart, were raised by their aunt and grandmother after their mother died when they were young and their father, a World War Two veteran, was unable to cope. They depended on each other with a bond that was unbreakable. That was until the evening of 12 May when William was hit by an illegally modified electric bike, suffering “unsurvivable” injuries. Now his younger brother Ray must find a way forward without his brother and best mate.
“Bill had headed off to get us dinner,” said Ray recounting the night. “He’d been gone for a long time, and I was beginning to wonder what was taking him so long. “I saw a torch through the window and thought ‘he’s home’, but then another torch and a knock at the door,” said Ray. There to greet him at the door were two police officers that informed Ray that his brother had been critically injured and airlifted to hospital. Ray was unable to make it to the Royal Melbourne Hospital where William was airlifted, and the hospital rang him at 4.30pm the next day to tell him that 15 minutes earlier, they’d turned off William life-support and he had died. He was 69-years-old.
William Lothian was born on 14 April 1956 in Hastings and lived in the town his entire life. He was, by all accounts, a quiet type, and he and his brother kept to themselves. They grew up in Skinner Street in a row of houses that were eventually acquired by the shire and demolished, with the brothers then moving to West Park (Wallaroo).
William loved music. He was into older rock, a bit of Heavy Metal, and, of course, Creedence Clearwater Revival. William had worked at Lysaghts, Bowens and for the council for a time. William loved to have a drink with his brother. William loved motorbikes. William was the cook of the two and would prepare pasta dishes for them, with the trade-off that Ray would do the washing up.
“I am angry,” said Ray. “My brother wouldn’t have had a chance.” “I’ve been told the electric bike may have been travelling around 80kmh when it hit Billy. And apparently the electric bike didn’t have a light. It all makes me angry”. Ray now must plan a funeral and navigate life without his brother. “I’ve been told a funeral will cost $4100. I must try and get that together. Billy would have wanted something simple. We’ll bury him in with our dad at Tyabb cemetery.”
It is believed the 24-year-old rider of the illegally modified electric bike, also from Hastings, suffered “life altering” injuries in the collision, but Ray feels let down by the system that allows these vehicles to be driven so recklessly. “I hate them,” said Ray. “I wish every electric bike, and scooter was melted down and made into something useful”.
A friend of the Lothians, Jenny Bryant, told The News “They were inseparable all their lives”. “They were more than brothers. They were best friends. William took care of Ray and did everything for him. We’re pretty upset that he is on his own now. “Ray has some friends around him, so we are hoping that people will now look out for him.”
As Ray navigates life without his brother, the community around Hastings have gathered around to support. “When I go down the street, it takes me ages,” said Ray. “People I don’t even know stop me to say how sorry they are. Everyone stops me. They all say Hastings won’t be the same without seeing both of us. “My friends have been supporting me, and the neighbours in the court where I live have been supportive. They’ve had me around for dinner, and are always checking on me,” said Ray. “I just really miss my brother.”
First published in the Mornington News – 27 May 2025
