Carnarvon Hwy fatals: Police reveal new details of tragic Roma, St George crashes

Police have given new insight into the devastating crashes that claimed the lives of a Roma boy, 6, and a man near St George this week as the community mourns the tragic losses.

Roma police have revealed new details of two horror fatal crashes on the region’s roads this week, with the devastated community coming together to mourn two tragic deaths.

A six-year-old boy from Roma was killed in a truck and car collision on the Carnarvon Highway near Injune at about 2.15am on Thursday.

The 33-year-old Roma man driving the vehicle, an 18-year-old female passenger, and the 59-year-old Brassall truck driver were all taken to hospital in stable conditions.

Roma Patrol Group Inspector Ray Vine said the group was travelling southbound on the highway, about 20km north of Injune, when their white Landcruiser ute suddenly flipped.

“For reasons yet to be determined, the driver has lost control of the vehicle and rolled, and come to rest on the incorrect side of the road,” Insp Vine said.

“It appears the adults were able to free themselves, but the boy was still in the vehicle when it was struck by a northbound road train.

“Very tragically, the young boy died at the scene.”

LifeFlight flew the 33-year-old Roma man and the 18-year-old girl also in the vehicle to hospital. Picture: Courtesy LifeFlight

Insp Vine said the circumstances of the collision were being investigated by the Forensic Crash Unit, and it was too early to speculate on the exact cause of the incident.

The Roma community has come together to mourn the heartbreaking loss of the little boy, with hundreds of tributes posted on social media.

“My condolences to the family who lost their little man. May he fly high with all the other little angels in heaven,” Vikki Tucker said.

“What a tragedy. Thoughts are with the families and emergency workers,” Debra Schefe wrote.

“Sincere condolences to this little boy’s family. Fly high little man,” Toni Mansfield said.

The devastating incident came only days after 27-year-old Raju Chikati was killed on the Carnarvon Highway when the car he was travelling in collided with a kangaroo.

It’s believed he and his two friends were travelling to help their mates stranded in the remote area when the crash occurred.

Raju Chikati, 27, who had dreams to study abroad and completed his masters degree in Sydney last year, has been identified as the man who devastatingly lost his life in a crash in Southwest Queensland recently.

Raju’s loved ones launched a GoFundMe to help his family in India cover the costs of a funeral and returning his body home, with the fundraiser attracting huge donations from the public. 

Insp Vine described the two deaths and seven crashes in just 72 hours as a confronting and tragic start to the year for the South West.

“Any life lost on our roads is one too many, but to have two incidents occur within the local community in such a short period of time is significantly distressing,” he said.

“Both of these fatal crashes have occurred in the early hours of the morning.

“Whilst it is too early to pinpoint the cause of these collisions, it’s important to understand the dangers of driving on rural roads at night where there are usually long distances between towns, and a lot of other hazards.

“What I can say is we all have a shared responsibility towards road safety. I can’t stress enough that (it) is everyone’s responsibility, and every decision you make on the roads counts.”

Anyone with information relating to either crash should contact St George Police on [phone], Roma Police on [phone], Injune Police on [phone], or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.