A woman who had known Johnny "Danger" Bennett since he was a five-year-old boy has talked of the shock she received when she heard he had died in a motorcycle accident in Auckland yesterday.
Jacci Matson says she rushed to the scene in Albany, Auckland when she heard Danger may have been the one killed in the crash. The comedian was known for his practical jokes and the woman Danger affectionately called "mama bear" needed to see for herself if the news was true.
"I was 30 minutes away from the scene and had heard there had been an accident, and then I heard a second story that we had lost him, and I decided to go to the site, because I needed to know for myself," she told Stuff.
"Everything was such a prank with Johnny and I knew we would need someone there to take the word, and if I told the rest of the boys it was true - I was hoping it wouldn't be true - but I knew they would understand and believe it."
Unfortunately when Ms Matson arrived at the scene her worst fears were revealed, it was her lifelong friend that had crashed his bike down a steep bank and died at the scene.
"I'm still in shock. I've travelled with him, I've seen him lying here this evening, and I still really don't believe it, because he was so full of life.
"Him and my only son were childhood mates from the age of five, and Johnny ended up having a beautiful life with us as well because they became such solid, tight friends. That's how I became - and I'm privileged to be called - his mama bear."
Danger had a large social media following and often created videos of his antics to post online.
He shot to fame when footage of him car surfing on top of a taxi over Auckland Harbour Bridge went viral in 2013.
Since his death tributes have poured in from some of his 290,000 followers on Facebook.
"RIP another legend taken too early thanks for the laughs and I will forever be danger swigging," one person wrote.
"Rip I'm so heartbroken. Will neck snap forever," another wrote.
"You lived more in your short life than most live in their entire life. Cheers for the good times, laughs and smiles dude," said another.
Danger also started his own range of beers, Danger's Lager.
His trademark danger swig was also widely emulated by celebrities including Sir John Key.
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