Grant High School pays tribute to teen girl killed alongside little brother in Nangwarry crash tragedy

The principal of the school attended by one of the children killed in the horrific crash tragedy says she will be dearly missed.

• Grieving father speaks after tragic fatal crash

The 15-year-old girl who tragically died in a horrific three-vehicle crash at Nangwarry on Sunday has been described as a “kind, quiet student with a lovely smile”.

The teenager was critically injured in the collision that also claimed the life of her five-year-old brother Isaac, who attended St Martin’s Kindergarten, at Nangwarry about 2.40pm Sunday.

It is the second tragedy to strike the Eykelenburg family who was travelling in a grey Toyota station wagon that had braked to avoid hitting a black Holden sedan, which struck an emu.

The Toyota was then struck from behind by a white Nissan ute.

Grant High School Principal Caroline Davey said the school community was deeply saddened by the loss of its student.

“In Year 9, she has been at Grant High School since 2022, and her loss will be felt by many. She was a kind, quiet student with a lovely smile who always gave things a go.

“Respectful and courteous, she has a circle of very close friends who will miss her dearly.

“As a school we are wrapping our arms around this family, and those who are close to them.

“Wellbeing support is being provided to students through the Department for Education’s specialist social work team, and support is also available for staff.

“Our thoughts at this time are with the family.”

Scene of the Nangwarry crash. Picture: Dylan Hogarth

St Martin’s Kindergarten director Cheslea Rodda said the five-year-old was a fun loving little boy full of curiosity.

“The St Martin’s Kindergarten community are distraught by the tragic death of a 5-year-old boy and his 15-year-old sister following a vehicle accident on Sunday,” she said.

“Our thoughts and prayers, along with the those of the entire close knit Mount Gambier community, are with the children’s family at such an awful time.

“The young boy joined the kindergarten earlier this year and was friendly, fun-loving and full of curiosity.

“We have been in contact with the family and are providing them with our love and support during a time of unimaginable grief. Pastoral care and support are also being provided to our staff and our families through the Lutheran Education regional office.”

An online fundraiser has since raised more than $60,000 to support the family as they grapple with their unfathomable loss.

In a separate fundraising effort, Blue Lake Golf Club manager Bill Burley said a golf day next month had already raised more than $15,000 for the family in less than 24 hours.

Mr Burley said the reception showed the caring nature of the Mount Gambier community.

“A friend of the family came to see me late yesterday afternoon with the idea and the outpouring has been amazing … already there has been, with donations and sponsorship it’s up to about $15,000,” he said.

“This community is so giving when people are down … and people are struggling already but are still giving.

Mr Burley said the news had hit the town with a wave of sorrow.

“Tragedies like this touch everyone, you never want to bury your kids … these poor parents, the other children and the people in the other cars,” he said.

“It puts shivers down your spine just talking about it.”

The Eykelenburg family were all taken to hospital including dad Chris, 42, to Mount Gambier.

His wife Paula, 46, is understood to have flown to Adelaide along with their 15-year-old daughter.

Their two other children, a 13-year-old girl and six-year-old boy, were also taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Member for Barker extends his sympathies to family

Member for Barker Tony Pasin said his community was in mourning after a “tragedy which played out in the most horrible of ways”.

“There’s a word for when you lose you’re partner; it’s widow, there is a word for losing you’re parents; you’re an orphan, but there is no word that describes the pain when a parent loses a child, and to lose two, it just sucks the oxygen out of your lungs,” he said.

“People are completely devastated, we woke up to news this morning that tragic situation had got worse overnight and every single person I’ve spoken to today is feeling for the family.

He paid tribute to the Mount Gambier community got rallying around the family.

“I expend people close to them are providing emotional support but the GoFundMe page is an expression of our community’s heartfelt condolences,” Mr Pasin said.

Chris Eykelenburg expressed his gratitude for the support his family has received. Picture: The SE Voice

The grieving father on Monday told The Advertiser he and his wife Paula were thankful for the support from the community in his family’s time of need.

“My wife and I are very grateful for anything given what we’ve lost,” he said.

“I’m still trying to come to terms with everything and I’m still in hospital.

“I thank all the emergency services for their efforts, I can’t fault them for everything they tried to do for us, they were so supportive.”

The children’s deaths are the 71st and 72nd lives lost on South Australian roads this year.