Queensland beauty queen loses fight for life after crash

TEENAGE Miss World Australia finalist Elyse Miller-Kennedy has passed away following a head-on crash in north Queensland.

A TEENAGE Miss World Australia finalist has passed away following a head on crash in the state’s north.

Elyse Miller-Kennedy, 17, was left with critical head, chest, arm and leg injuries after the accident last Wednesday night near her home town of Dimbulah, 110km west of Cairns.

On Friday, she lost her week-long fight for life following the crash, which is believed to have been caused by a couple of French tourists driving on the wrong side of the road.

It is understood the teenager will save the life of many others after a decision was made to donate her organs following the crash.

Police say they are yet to formally interview the female driver of the Ford Falcon that smashed into Ms Miller as she is still recovering in hospital with a serious leg injury.

The possibility of charges resulting from the crash will rest with the evidence that the Cairns Forensic Crash Unit is able to gather.

Dimbulah model Elyse Miller-Kennedy, 17, who passed away nine days after a car crash.

A vehicle inspection unit from Brisbane will next week fly to Cairns to inspect the two vehicles to ensure that no defects to the vehicles caused the fatal crash.

“Elyse was driving back from the Mareeba direction and was on the correct side of the road,” Senior Constable Lee Chamberlain said.

“Our inquiries show that the two vehicles came together on the Dimbulah-bound lane, so she was where she should have been at the time.”

Fellow Miss World contestants were holding back tears as they learnt of the passing of Ms Miller-Kennedy.

The scene of the crash near Dimbulah which ultimately cost Elyse Miller-Kennedy her life.

Current Miss World Australia Madeline Cowe said she befriended Ms Miller-Kennedy during her pageant journey and was struggling to deal with the loss.

“You would never imagine she was only 17-years-old – she was so mature, so fun, so happy and full of life,” she said.

“She was a beautiful, amazing girl both inside and out and she could have been or done anything she wanted to.

“I know she had so much she wanted to achieve – she wanted to study law and enter pageantry again – to be 17 and have your life taken away from you, I don’t think there is anything worse.”