Travis Terry, 35, one of two killed in collision at Lincoln Gap
A community is in shock after two beloved members died in a horrific road accident on Wednesday.
Upper Spencer Gulf
Don't miss out on the headlines from Upper Spencer Gulf. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A heartbroken sister has paid tribute to her brother after he was killed in a two-way collision this morning between Port Augusta and Whyalla.
Kira Jade paid tribute to her 35-year-old brother Travis Terry online in an emotional Facebook post on Wednesday.
“RIP my beautiful bro,” the post read. “My heart is breaking.
“Now we are missing a very massive part of our family and it will never be the same again without you and your gorgeous smile and contagious laugh.”
The post was met with an outpouring of love and support from friends and family online.
Mr Terry’s aunt Annie Fisher was among those who commented on the post.
“Sending love Kira, our hearts are breaking over this sad news too,” Ms Fisher said.
“He was an awesome nephew and will be sadly missed by all.”
Cousin Adrian Payne said Mr Terry’s death had come as a complete shock.
“I think we are all just trying to get our heads around he is gone, he was a great person and taken away too young, he loved life and worked hard,” Mr Payne said.
On Wednesday, State member for Giles, MP Eddie Hughes paid special homage to Travis Terry and his loved ones – after a heartfelt tribute to the second victim of the fatal crash.
“Our thoughts are also with the friends and friends of the young man that lost his life and we wish a speedy recovery to those in hospital following the crash,” MP Huges said.
“A dark sad day for Whyalla.”
Another victim, 37-year-old woman Kimberly Pursche, also died following the two-car crash the Lincoln Hwy smash.
Mr Hughes also offered a Facebook tribute for Ms Pursche, who he said was a beloved member of the Whyalla community.
Mr Huges said “the loss of Kimberley Pursche is truly devastating.”
“A woman with a big heart and a warm soul that was always ready to give her all to help others. She touched so many in our community” MP Hughes wrote.
MP Hughes also gave his condolence to the family and friends affected by Ms Pursche’s tragic passing.
“To Kimberley’s family and close friends my heartfelt condolences,” MP Hughes wrote.
“To Kimberley’s CentaCare colleagues our thoughts are with you. To the Whyalla Suicide Prevention Network which Kimberley chaired you have lost a champion as has Whyalla – truly one of a kind.”
Chief executive of CentaCare Catholic Country SA Dr Jen Clearly, also made a heartwarming tribute on behalf of colleagues to Ms Pursche who was “highly regarded and respected.”
“She was much loved and touched the lives of all of us with her kind and caring nature as our Training Coordinator,” Dr Cleary wrote.
“She was committed to providing training and support for our country communities and she brought light and life to her passion,” she wrote.
“So many of us have learnt so much because of her skills.”
Late last year, the Whyalla Suicide Prevention Network said Ms Pursche, a chairman, was finalist for the Rural Doctors Workforce Agency Rural Community Health and Wellbeing Award.
She worked as a social worker for over 12 years and become a training co-ordinator at CentaCare Catholic Country SA and was also a responded for their Employee Assistance Program.
The Whyalla Suicide Prevention Network praised Ms Pursche for co-presenting “Hearing Voices that are Distressing’ at a conference in New Zealand.
Police and emergency services were called to scene, located near the Eyre Hwy intersection, at about 7.30am on Wednesday after reports of a crash between a Toyota RAV4 and a Toyota HiLux.
Both drivers, a 37-year-old Whyalla woman and 35-year-old Mr Terry, from Whyalla Stuart, died at the scene.
A passenger in the Toyota HiLux, a 27-year-old Whyalla Stuart man, has been taken to Whyalla Hospital where he is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Major Crash were on scene and road closures were put in place heading south on Lincoln Hwy toward Whyalla, being diverted via Eyre Hwy through Iron Knob.
The Lincoln Highway remained closed for most of the day but reopened on Wednesday evening.
The accident marked the 25th and 26th lives lost on SA roads this year.
Whyalla’s desperate call for lifeline as GFG’s debt hurts businesses
The refusal of Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG to meet its debts to dozens of contractors in Whyalla is hurting the economic fabric of the city.
Staying alive: $9m spent on office staff to keep hydrogen project afloat
Taxpayers are spending around $23m to keep the state’s hydrogen office in business, while the number of staff in the office has grown at a cost of $9m.