Hero dad Nathan Tasker

Nathan Tasker, 31, a former Australian Army electrician, died in John Hunter Hospital on Monday night after suffering multiple injuries in a two-car smash at a roundabout in Wallsend.

Originally from Queensland, the father of two had served 10 years with the army as a craftsman and later as a corporal before leaving three years ago to give his young family a more stable home life.

"He was a lovely son, the most affectionate man you'd ever meet and he loved his family very much," his father George, who flew in from Bundaberg in North Queensland yesterday, said.

"I think he was completely committed to succeeding and to providing the best possible life he could for his family. And he went above and beyond to do his best in everything."

Mr Tasker had been working as an electrician for Cardiff company ATF Mining Electric since his discharge from the army, when he and his wife Lindy and children Drew, 6, and Jai, 4, moved to Newcastle and bought their first home in Woodrising.

He had served as part of Australia's peacekeeping deployment in the Solomon Islands and as part of the Australian contingent committed to the relief operation in Aceh after the 2004 Tsunami.

He had been preparing for a stint in East Timor with 3RAR when he had been discharged.

"I think he carried some baggage after that [Aceh] but he never let it get him down or stopped him from getting on with his life," his father said.

"He was a hell of kid who had a real drive, a real determination to do as much as he could, do some good and go far."

Mr Tasker had also worked in the mining industry.

A family friend, who declined to be named, said the sudden death had thrown relatives into turmoil.

"They've just moved into the area and being such a young family it's a real tragedy for them," he said.

"To think that a man can go to work at six in the morning and just never come home . . . it's shocking."