Couple killed in ‘freak’ Mother’s Day tragedy on Forrest Highway, WA identified

Young parents who died in a “freak accident” on a major highway are being mourned, with loved ones saying they are “together forever now”.

A young couple who were killed in a horror Mother's Day collision on a major highway are being mourned by their loved ones, who say they are “together forever now”.

Harrison McElroy, 24, and Kayla Shepherd, 31, were hit by a car after getting out of their own vehicle while parked in an emergency lane on the Forrest Highway at South Yunderup, in Western Australia, on Sunday.

Heartbreaking new details have emerged about the young couple who died in a freak Mother's Day crash on a highway south of Perth. Picture: supplied

They were struck by a dark blue Volvo travelling in the same direction they had been on the highway.

The driver of the Volvo stopped immediately to assist the pair and call emergency services, but both Mr McElroy and Ms Shepherd died at the scene.

It has been reported Ms Shepherd's 17-month-old daughter was in their parked car at the time.

Mr McElroy also leaves behind an 18-month-old daughter.

It is as yet unclear why the pair had stopped.

Harrison McElroy and his partner were struck by a Volvo after getting out of a car they had parked in the emergency lane of a highway south of Perth. Picture: 9News

Mr McElroy’s brother Michael told NewsWire he was “pretty lost for words” in the wake of his sibling’s tragic death.

“He was a good kid, he really was. He was a good dad,” he said.

Ms Shepherd’s friend Kahu Beard told 9 News the couple’s spark was “genuine and pure”.

Ebony Brown, also a friend of Ms Shepherd’s, said she and Mr McElroy were “together forever now”.

“She was so loving and doting on her daughter,” Brown said.

“When I first met her, she just lit up the room, and it was just like magic.”

A fundraiser has been launched online to help Mr McElroy’s family cover his funeral expenses, with organisers describing the collision that claimed his life a “freak accident”.

“He leaves behind a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter and a devastated family,” the fundraiser description read.

“We don’t often ask for help, but sometimes life puts you in a place where you have no choice but to reach out.”

It has been reported Mr McElroy and Ms Shepherd were on their way to Mother's Day celebrations at Waroona at the time of the collision, as per 9 News.

Investigations are ongoing and police are appealing for any witnesses to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Couple killed in ‘freak’ Mother’s Day tragedy on Forrest Highway, WA identified