Struggling to come to terms with the tragic loss of her eldest son, Josh Stein, Ms Dabner yesterday spoke of a young man who loved his family and footy.

"He told me everything ... he was my son but more so he was my best friend," the grieving mother of three said.

"He loved his family and friends to bits, especially (his younger siblings) Joel and Georgia."

In what can only be described as a freak accident, Josh was killed about 3am on Saturday when a tow ball catapulted through the windscreen of the vehicle in which he was a back-seat passenger, striking him in the head.

The 18-year-old was on an end-of-season footy trip at Temma, on the West Coast, with his Irishtown Football Club teammates.

The accident occurred when teammates were attempting to free a bogged four-wheel drive, using the vehicle Josh was a passenger in. The towing assembly of the stuck vehicle came loose and the tow ball and snatch strap smashed through the windscreen.

Surrounded by family and friends yesterday, Ms Dabner was faced with the task no parent should have to endure - planning her son's funeral.

With tributes from the Circular Head community flowing in yesterday, Ms Dabner recalled a young man who was "always the life of the party".

"He loved football, music and partying," she said.

"He was right into techno music and played the electric guitar, which he was pretty good at.

"I would see him throughout the week and come Friday night he would be out the door with friends, but he would always come home on Sunday afternoon and tell me all about his weekend.

"He loved to have a good time with his mates but he was very level-headed and responsible."

Josh was employed as a mill worker at Britton Timbers upon leaving school.

"He loved his job, like most things he tried his hand at," she said.

"He used to joke about and call himself the wood doctor.

"He was always joking about and playing tricks on people - he had a very dry sense of humour and would come out with some random sayings."

Grappling to come to terms with the idea of life without her son, Ms Dabner said she took heart in knowing Josh had given and received so much love and respect throughout his short life.

"I couldn't be prouder of him," she said.