Te Brougham dies, 16-year-old girl injured after crash on The Lakes Way, Bungwahl near Forster on Mid-North Coast

The community is rallying behind the family of a much-loved Mid-North Coast dad who tragically died when a Hyundai hit a tree on a notorious stretch of road near Forster. See the latest.

The Lakes Way.

The community is rallying behind the family of a much-loved Mid-North Coast dad who tragically died when a Hyundai hit a tree on a notorious stretch of road.

Te Brougham died on scene when the car he was driving struck a tree on The Lakes Way near Bungwahl – some 34 kilometres south of Forster

The 44-year-old has been remembered as a fun-loving family man by close friend Connor Bramble, and in a raft of tributes from devastated loved ones on social media.

A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help pay for his funeral and support his four children Darcy, Katrina, Amarlie and Xavier and their mother Danielle.

Tributes have flowed after Te Brougham tragically died in Friday night’s crash. Picture: Facebook

Fundraiser organiser Brooke Hall says he was a larger than life character with a heart like Phar Lap.

“There’s not a soul who didn’t love him. Rest easy bro. We will have always have your back like you had ours,” she said.

In the first four days the fundraising campaign has raised $1,206 of a $20,000 target.

Close friend Connor Bramble said Mr Brougham was a special man who loved a “coldie” at the local pub.

“He was a great man and an even better father,” he said.

Some have posted on Mr Brougham’s Facebook page, including Francis Seymour who said: “Rage in paradise my cuzzy.”

Emergency services were called to The Lakes Way.

Manning/Great Lakes Police District officers have been investigating why the SUV Mr Brougham was driving left the road and hit the tree about 11pm.

The teen girl passenger was left with serious injuries after the single-car crash, which also left a cattle dog suffering minor injuries.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated Mr Brougham at the crash site, but tragically he could not be saved.

Paramedics took the girl to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle in a serious but stable condition, while the dog was returned into the care of her owners.

Te Brougham, Picture: Facebook.

Police investigations are ongoing and officers were preparing a report for the Coroner.

The Lakes Way is a picturesque, but notoriously dangerous stretch of road, with cars travelling on two lanes in opposite directions at up to 100km/h.

It winds its way through tourist towns of Forster and Tuncurry along Smiths and Myall Lakes towards Bulahdelah.

In March this year, the NRMA’s Rate Your Roads survey ranked The Lakes Way the second worst road in the state due to its hazards and condition.

Know more about Friday night’s fatal crash? Phone Policelink on 131 444.

Originally published as Te Brougham dies, 16-year-old girl injured after crash on The Lakes Way, Bungwahl near Forster on Mid-North Coast