Child and teen die in horror three-car crash caused by emu
Police have arrested a 22-year-old man after a shocking car crash killed a five-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl.
On the Road
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Police have a arrested a young man over a horrific car crash that killed a child and teen girl on Sunday.
The tragedy unfolded on the Riddoch Highway near Nangwarry on the South Australian-Victorian border after a black Holden sedan collided with an emu.
“A grey Toyota station wagon braked to avoid the collision, while a white Nissan ute crashed into the rear of the Toyota,” South Australian Police said on Tuesday.
A five-year-old boy, a passenger in the Toyota, died at the scene, while a 15-year-old girl, another passenger of the Toyota, was taken to hospital with critical injuries.
She died at the hospital on Monday.
Chris and Paula Eykelenburg, from Mount Gambier, have been identified as the parents of the boy and the teen girl.
Paramedics took them to hospital along with a 13-year-old girl and a six-year-old boy for treatment of minor injuries.
The police arrested the driver of the Nissan, a 22-year-old man from Mount Gambier, on Tuesday.
“Officers from the Major Crash Investigation Section arrested the 22-year-old man and charged him with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and four counts of causing harm by dangerous driving,” the police said.
“He was refused bail and will appear in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Wednesday.”
The female driver and sole occupant of the black Holden did not suffer any injuries after hitting the emu.
Eykelenburg family friend Tara Button paid tribute to the little boy, who she described as “very adventurous” and “always wanting just to talk and have fun”.
Coming to terms with the loss of the two children was overwhelming for the family, she said.
“I’m trying not to cry at the moment,” Ms Button told 9News.
“I’m trying to keep it all together, but I know it’ll hit me at one stage.”
Following the crash, Mr Eykelenburg thanked the emergency services for their response to the horror event.
“I can’t thank the emergency services enough,” he said. “They’ve done a fantastic job.”
The deaths of the two children mark the 71st and 72nd lives lost on South Australian roads this year.
Originally published as Child and teen die in horror three-car crash caused by emu
Boy fighting for life after alleged hit and run
A young boy, who has autism and is non-verbal, has been critically injured after being struck by a car in a “horrific accident” in NSW.
Group of Aussies eligible for $140m fund
One state is offering motorists the chance to claim back money on tolls, with $140 million remaining unclaimed in rebates.