Taylor Swift’s gesture to Aussie teen who was tragically killed in a car accident weeks before she was due to attend her Brisbane concert

WHILE the majority of the audience didn’t know who Rachel was, for a handful of fans when Taylor Swift said her name, it meant the world.

Taylor Swift performing at Suncorp Stadium during her 1989 world tour. Pic Peter Wallis

WHEN Taylor Swift sung her song Mine at her Brisbane concert on Saturday night, she declared “this is for Rachel”.

While the majority of the audience didn’t know who Rachel was, for a handful of fans in the crowd it meant the world.

17-year-old Rachel Erlandsen died in a car accident with her mother Dixie just weeks before she was due to see Swift perform in concert with her friends.

She had just finished Year 12 and was driving a Nissan Pulsar when the car collided with an ambulance on November 20 near Coffs Harbour.

Rachel Erlandsen and her boyfriend in a picture from her Facebook page.

Rachel Erlandsen in a picture posted to Taylor Swift by her friends.

The tragedy led her mates to contact the pop star on Facebook, starting the hashtag #MineForRachel on social media.

“Taylor, our best friend Rachel and her mother died in a car accident last week,” one of her friends wrote.

“Growing up, your songs documented milestones in our lives and we had planned a trip to your concert since we were 13 years old.

“Mine had touched Rachel in a profound way. She felt that it was the story of her life, but it was cut short before she could fulfil the rest of the song.

“She would be honoured if ‘Mine’ was played at your concert in Brisbane on the 5th December 2015, because after all, she is the best thing that’s ever been ours.”

Incredibly, Swift obliged, honouring Rachel in front of 50,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium.

Hear the song in the tweet below.

Taylor played Mine tonight in honor of #MineForRachel 💖 #1989TourBrisbane pic.twitter.com/q3ChkuEpb5

— Hardcore Swiftie (@Swift13Updates) December 5, 2015

Taylor sang 'Mine' in memory of a girl who passed away in a car accident 💞 #MineForRachel #1989TourBrisbane pic.twitter.com/j8WFVcQT6c

— Taylor Swift Updates (@TSwiftLA) December 5, 2015

Originally published as Taylor Swift’s gesture to Aussie teen who was tragically killed in a car accident weeks before she was due to attend her Brisbane concert