Victims of horror Mid North crash John, Cynthia and Jacqueline Clark farewelled

Mourners gathered on Monday to farewell three members of the same much-loved Mid North family killed in a horror car crash.

The memorial card at the funeral of John, Cynthia and Jacqueline Clark at Snowtown.

Hundreds of mourners have come together help Paul Clark, the only remaining member of the Clark family, lay his mother, father and sister to rest after they were killed in a horror car crash in SA’s Mid North.

Up to 300 people celebrated the lives and said their farewells to Cynthia Clark, 84, husband John Clark, 86, and daughter Jacqueline, 54, at the Blyth Snowtown Football club at Snowtown on Monday.

Demi, Gabbie and Paul Clark at the funeral service for John, Cynthia and Jacqueline Clark, held at Centenary Park, Snowtown. Picture: The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette

Rows of seating spilt out onto the oval. Picture: The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette

Rows of mourners spilt from the inside of the pavilion out onto the oval with about 30-40 people left standing to pay their respects.

Despite it being a sad occasion for the many who knew the family, funny anecdotes and fond memories shared by friends who had known them over decades drew both laughs and tears.

Former neighbour Natasha Mahar said living next to the Clark family had been a blessing.

“My mother Rhonda had a soft spot for Jackie, she would call her in for tea and scones,” she said.

“Jackie was part of everyone’s family, eating out of everyone’s pantry and playing endless games of cricket,” childhood friend Helen Smith said.

“Cynthia had a marvellous sense of humour and she loved practical jokes.

“She had a smile and a tender word for everyone.

Mourners at the Clark family funeral at the Blyth Snowtown Football Club.

The memorial card at the funeral.

The family’s last surviving child Paul Clark shared memories of being a “ratbag” growing up in Roxby Downs.

“But hearing those stories (of my family), it seems like I was the normal one,” he said.

Mr Clark expressed his gratitude, giving thanks to the first responders at the scene of the fatal crash near Blyth on October 31, one of whom he said “held my mum” and to “the person who made the first phone call”.

Mr Clark said his hope in the wake of this tragedy was to give back tirelessly to others and to be there for his own daughters.

“We weren’t religious people but you’re in heaven,” he said.

“Hopefully I won’t get up there for a long time.

“I got three girls to take care of and I’ve still got a lot of work to do.”

Cynthia and John Clark. Picture: Facebook

John Clark died in hospital a week later. Picture: Facebook/Clare Golf Club

Cynthia and Jacqueline were killed almost instantly when their Honda Civic collided with a van at the intersection of Templeton Rd and Blyth Rd at Everard Central, near Blyth, about 5.20pm on Tuesday, October 31.

John Clark, their husband and father, died in hospital almost a week later on November 6.

Paul Clark – John and Cynthia’s son and Jacqueline’s sister – was on holidays overseas when the news reached him of the devastating crash.

Paul said he went in to a state of “utter shock” after the call, and quickly rushed to be by his father’s bedside at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Paul Clark is the only surviving member of his immediate family. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

The scene of the deadly crash at Everard Central in SA’s Mid-North. Picture: 7NEWS

The 28-year-old driver of the van suffered minor injuries and was charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He was bailed and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on January 17.

His 26-year-old female passenger sustained serious injuries and was also flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

There have been 101 lives lost on the state’s roads this year, including the tragic Schoolies death of Charlie Stevens, 18, the son on the state’s Police Commissioner Grant Stevens.