Police say it’s ‘fortunate’ five teens survived horror crash, just one week after Buxton tragedy

Five teenagers have been injured after their car hit a pole in Sydney’s south-west on Friday morning in an incident eerily similar to the Buxton car crash that killed five Picton High School students.

After early indications revealed speed was most likely a factor, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden said it was “most fortunate” another five lives were not lost in the crash.

Five teens were injured after their car hit a pole in Beverly Hills, in Sydney’s south-west, early on Friday.Credit: Edwina Pickles

The Honda Accord hit the power pole about 6am on Stoney Creek Road in Beverly Hills. The impact of the car on the pole was such that one of the boys in its back seat had to be cut out by firefighters.

“This comes just days after the tragic circumstances out of Buxton,” McFadden said.

“We haven’t even given the community and the families at Buxton a chance to grieve and lay their children to rest. It’s just unacceptable.”

Two female passengers, both aged 16, were treated at the scene before being taken to St George Hospital in a serious but stable condition. One suffered hip and chest injuries while the other had head injuries.

Two male passengers, aged 15 and 16, were also treated at the scene and taken to Liverpool Hospital in a stable condition.

The 18-year-old driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to Liverpool Hospital for mandatory testing.

McFadden also said that, in a separate incident that occurred just two days after the Buxton tragedy, police officers stopped a P-plate driver travelling 181km/h with two young people in the car.

“There needs to be more communication around the dinner table,” McFadden said.

The scene of the crash in Stoney Creek Road at Beverly Hills on Friday morning.Credit: Edwina Pickles

“This is not cool, this is not things we should be doing. We shouldn’t be aspiring to be driving like these absolute idiots on the road.”

NSW Ambulance Inspector Anne Lennard described the scene as “confronting” and said the two girls had to be treated on the side of the road while their friend was being cut out of the car.

“Incidents involving young people are always confronting for our crews. We’ve recently seen a terrible tragedy on our roads and we encourage everyone to drive safely,” she said.

Last week, Tyrese Bechard, 15, Lily Van de Putte, 14, Gabby McLennan, 15, Summer Williams, 14, and Antonio Desisto, 16, died in Buxton, south-west of Sydney, when the Nissan Navara in which they were passengers hit a tree.

Driver Tyrell Edwards, 18, is on remand in Silverwater prison after being refused bail on five counts of dangerous driving occasioning death.

One of the occupants of the car in the Beverly Hills crash inside an ambulance on Friday morning.Credit: Nine

On Friday, police were deployed to direct hundreds of mourners in the small town of Tahmoor for Lily’s funeral.

The mourners made their way down a road festooned with coloured balloons in front of St Anthony’s Catholic Church for the service.

The hearse carrying the teenager’s coffin arrived at the church just after 1pm.

The five teenagers who died in the Buxton car crash. Clockwise from main: Lily Van de Putte, Summer Williams, Gabby McLennan, Tyrese Bechard and Antonio Desisto.

A memorial card handed to those in attendance read, “Lily’s beautiful spirit and soul will transcend time and the ray of light she shone each day will now shine down through the stars.”

On Thursday, Tyrese’s funeral took place in a Picton church with a “huge turnout”, Wollondilly Shire Mayor Matt Gould said.

The funerals of the other three victims will follow in the coming days.

With AAP

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.