School pays tribute to Year 7 student killed in traffic crash

A school has remembered one of its students who was killed in a horror accident near Toowoomba last week, the same crash that claimed the life of her mum.

Giselle Greig and her mum Jessica Greig died in a traffic crash on Toowoomba-Cecil Plains Road.

The leaders of Gympie’s Victory College have paid tribute to Giselle Greig as a “beautiful girl” after her tragic death.

The 12-year-old girl and her mother, Jessica Greig, died after the SUV they were travelling in and a truck collided on the Toowoomba-Cecil Plains Road shortly after 10am on Thursday.

“Giselle was a beautiful girl, inside and out,” Head of Middle School Elizabeth Thomas said.

“She was kind and had a large group of friends who loved her dearly.

“This was made most obvious on Saturday afternoon when her friends gathered together to say goodbye.

“They cried together and prayed together and cried again.

“On Sunday, they honoured her by attending her church.”

Giselle and Jessica Greig died after the SUV they were travelling in collided with a truck on Toowoomba-Cecil Plains Road on Thursday, July 8.

Mrs Thomas said Giselle always had a smile on her face.

“She was respected by her teachers and youth group leaders because of the way she demonstrated respect to everyone, be it the teachers, youth leaders, netball coaches or classmates.” she said.

Mr Thomas said the mum and daughter were together in Heaven.

“We will all miss Giselle. As Christians, however, we know that we will see her and her beautiful mum again,” she said.

“We know that they are in a much better place than this one. She was a gorgeous girl, loved by God and who loved Him back.”

The Year 7 student suffered critical injuries while travelling with her family at Mt Irving.

Several Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics fought to save her life, but sadly they could not.

Her father suffered life-threatening head and chest injuries and is in a critical condition in the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital.

Two young girls and a young boy were also hospitalised.

Four people were injured and two people, Jessica and Giselle Greig, died in a traffic crash between SUV and truck west of Toowoomba on Thursday. Picture: Michael Nolan.

Police Forensic Crash Unit officers are continuing to investigate the collision, however Darling Downs Country Patrol Acting Inspector Kim Hill said it appeared fatigue played a part.

“We really want to press on to people the importance of resting if they are tired,” she said.

“You have to drive to live and you must take responsibility for the other people in your car.”

Worryingly, police have fined several people for high-speed driving near the crash site at the weekend.

“Concentrate on the road, drive to the conditions and obey the rules because police are out there.”

Victory College Executive Chairman Pastor George Miller said the school was doing everything in its power to support its students.

“The college pastoral team will be available at the college each day this week and in the future to chat with students if they feel they need to talk to someone” he said.

“The college community will feel the impact of Giselle’s sudden passing in the coming weeks. We understand that for some, it will take time to come to terms with this great loss.

“We have made information available from Headspace and the Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Grief Network, that may be useful in helping the students as they navigate this difficult time, especially for Giselle’s friends.”

Originally published as School pays tribute to Year 7 student killed in traffic crash