WA News

Save
Print
License article

Lesmurdie Road car honking mystery solved: Meet Hayden

Last week, a local Lesmurdie resident took to the community Facebook page in order to ask a burning question on behalf of the drivers on the main stretch of road near Goodwin Street:

Why was everyone suddenly tooting their horns whenever they travelled up the road?

As far as locals could tell, it wasn't an increase in traffic, bad weather, or even a family of ducks crossing around the road.

But quickly, the original poster soon had their answer: Hayden.

"I think the boy with the walker signals for a toot," one reply said.

"Hayden is lovely."

Advertisement

Nearly 20 comments pointed the finger at the mysterious "Hayden" as the source of the noise, calling him "gorgeous", "lovely" and a "sweetheart" - so mum Kym Marijanich spoke with 6PR's Simon Beaumont in order to clear up the mystery on Friday afternoon. 

"It's my son who has a new obsession, and it's honking," she said.

Hayden, 20, has cerebral palsy, and recently learned the universal truck "honking" signal. He has since taken up a spot near his family's back gate - which also happens to back onto Lesmurdie Road. 

Hayden sits outside for hours at a time, making the honking signal at passing cars, trucks and emergency vehicles. 

"It started off with just a couple of trucks that would just recognise his wave and it has since grown to people who toot as well," Kym said.

"We also have people who blow their sirens, and then there are people who literally come along just to honk their horn at Hayden."

According to Kym, Hayden became obsessed with truck horns while the family went for a July holiday in the Pilbara.

"He was out on the main highway after we would park up somewhere, and he would just stand there and wait for the trucks to go by," she said.

"He had a radio and he would tell them he was waiting there, and they would blow their air horns every time they went past."

Kym said while Lesmurdie drivers had been beyond supportive of her son's new obsession, it was now to the point where his parents had to restrict his fun simply due to the sheer number of drivers who liked to greet Hayden on their journey. 

"The more attention he's getting now - yesterday was quite loud – the more he wants to do it," she said.

"We've had to use a couple of strategies for Hayden to help the neighbours a little bit – we've had to put a timeframe on it so that it's only between certain hours of the day so that it's not too noisy.

"I think it's around three o'clock that's his main time, because it's school pick-up and school drop-off, so he's got more traffic coming through.

"But in saying that, when I'd left for work this morning, he'd already made a beeline down to the back gate to do his morning honking."

Locals have got on board with the "Honk for Hayden" campaign, with a few residents telling Kym how tooting their horns for the young man continued to brighten their day.

"Your son always brings a smile to our faces when we see him out," one resident said. 

"My four-year-old boy has cerebral palsy and he has a similar walker – he likes seeing the "big boy" out for a walk on his walker. I'll be sure to give him a toot next time!"

"He's such a sweetheart, sorry I'm one of the people contributing to the noise pollution!" another said.

However, Kym said it might be time to put a few more restrictions on Hayden's honking campaign – after he accidentally hailed a taxi on Thursday afternoon.