The Griffith medical community and thousands of families are mourning the loss of respected paediatrician Dr Maxwell Hopp, who died in a cycling accident on Friday morning.

Dr Hopp, believed to be in his 70s, died following a collision between his bicycle and a street sweeper truck at the intersection of Boonah Street, Noorebah Avenue, and Kooba Street in North Griffith at approximately 7am on Friday, September 26.

Police from Murrumbidgee Police District responded to reports that the street sweeper was turning from Boonah into Kooba Street when the cyclist collided with the side of the vehicle. Despite the immediate response from NSW Ambulance, Dr Hopp died at the scene.

The 66-year-old male driver of the truck was not injured and was taken to Griffith Hospital for mandatory testing. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Image: Supplied.

Dr Maxwell Hopp was far more than a physician to the Griffith community, he was a trusted partner in raising healthy children for countless families over nearly two decades.

Born and educated in South Africa, Dr Hopp earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg in 1976. He brought his considerable expertise to Australia, where he made Griffith his professional home and became a cornerstone of paediatric care.

As Associate Professor and Head of Paediatrics at Griffith Base Hospital, Dr Hopp provided allergy treatment for thousands of children in Griffith and surrounding areas over the past 19 years. His specialised clinic saved approximately 4,500 families the significant expense and inconvenience of travelling to Sydney or Melbourne for treatment.

Parents consistently praised Dr Hopp's calm demeanour, thorough explanations, and unique ability to make children feel at ease during medical visits. Many families considered him not just their doctor, but a trusted guide through the challenges of raising healthy children.

"Dr Hopp looked after my girls from the day they were born until they were 18. They too loved him," said one community member, expressing sentiments shared by countless local families.

Colleagues remember Dr Hopp as a physician who elevated standards of care through his professionalism, wisdom, and willingness to share knowledge. Throughout his career, he mentored junior doctors and medical students, instilling not only medical excellence but also the values of compassion, patience, and empathy.

Dr Hopp was acutely aware of the challenges facing regional healthcare. Earlier this year, he expressed concern about escalating waiting times for general practitioners and paediatricians across the state, noting that "countless families encounter formidable obstacles in accessing a paediatrician for developmental assessments, particularly if they cannot locate a bulk-billing service."

He had been advocating passionately for children in the region to retain local services rather than face the burden of travelling to major cities for specialised care.

Recent challenges had threatened the sustainability of Dr Hopp's specialised clinic. The NSW Government's decision to cease funding for his community health nurse position meant his clinic would no longer be viable, and he was also being relocated from the new Griffith Base Hospital, where he could treat children safely in close proximity to the emergency ward.

These developments would have forced parents to seek allergy treatment for their children in Sydney or Melbourne, exactly the situation Dr Hopp had worked tirelessly to prevent for local families.

Beyond his medical expertise, Dr Hopp was known for his humility, warmth, and genuine care for people. Friends and family remember him as someone who valued connection, took time to listen, and always sought to brighten the lives of those around him.

His sudden passing has created a profound void not only in Griffith's medical community but in the lives of the thousands of families he served with dedication and compassion.

The tragic circumstances of his death have left many in the community reeling, as they come to terms with losing someone who had given so much to ensure the health and wellbeing of local children.

As the Griffith community mourns Dr Maxwell Hopp's passing, they celebrate a career defined by service, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to providing excellent healthcare for regional families. His contributions to paediatric medicine and his advocacy for accessible local healthcare will not be forgotten.

The thoughts and condolences of the entire community are with Dr Hopp's family, friends, colleagues, and the many patients whose lives he touched throughout his distinguished career.