Clare Merriam, 38, of WA identified as victim of horror crash in Wye, south of Mount Gambier

The woman killed in a horror crash at Wye near Mt Gambier on Friday has been identified as ‘much loved’ mining worker Clare Merriam, 38.

The WA woman tragically killed in a horrific car crash near Mt Gambier, which has also left an eight-year-old boy critically injured, was a “bright and bubbly” human resources manager in the mining industry, according to the West Australian.

The paper said Guildford woman Clare Merriam and her partner Michael Place had recently travelled to Victoria to see his three children and the tragedy unfolded during a trip to Mount Gambier on Friday afternoon.

Ms Merriam, the driver, died at the scene while her partner’s eight-year-old son, who was sitting in the back seat, suffered critical injuries.

Mr Place, who was in the passenger’s seat, and his six-year-old son and four-year-old daughter were also seriously injured.

Clare Merriam, 38, was a human resources manager for a WA mining company.

Michael Place, injured in the crash. Picture: Facebook

Ms Merriam, a 38-year-old people and engagement manager at Gold Fields mining company, was described as a “kind, friendly and energetic woman”.

“She was just full of life,” the couple’s next-door neighbour Andy Aple told the West Australian.

“We’d see her walking her dog. She was very bright and bubbly, always keen for a chat.”

Mr Place’s child is understood to remain in a critical condition at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

HOW THE CRASH UNFOLDED

Emergency services were called to the crash, south of Mount Gambier, about 12.30pm following reports of a crash between a truck and a car.

The driver died at the scene. An eight-year-old boy seated in the rear of the vehicle suffered critical injuries and was flown to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Major crash investigators arrived at the fatal crash outside Mount Gambier at 6pm.

Major Crash officers arrive to investigate the fatal accident at Wye, south of Mount Gambier. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Police closed Donovans Road at Wye, south of Mount Gambier after a collision between a truck and a car. Picture: Arj Ganesan

A truck rolled following a serious crash at Mount Gambier. Picture: Arj Ganesan.

Police and emergency services at the scene of the serious crash at Wye in the Limestone Coast. Picture: Arj Ganesan

An SA Ambulance chopper leaves the scene of a serious accident in Wye. Picture: Arj Ganesan

The front passenger, a 36-year-old man, and rear passengers – a six-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl – who all suffered minor injuries, were taken to the local hospital.

The truck driver, a 58–year-old man, was uninjured and is helping police with their inquiries.

The intersection at Donovans Rd and Glenelg River Rd is closed while Major Crash investigators examine the scene.