Father tells of tragedy as son escapes fatal car crash

The father of a teen involved in a fatal crash has spoken of his anguish after hearing the crash from his bed minutes before police called him.

The father of one of the teens involved in a fatal crash on the weekend has spoken of his terror and anguish after hearing “a bang and then sirens” minutes before receiving the phone call every parent dreads.

Beenleigh father Gary Myers said his son, Jack, was sitting in the front seat of a Mitsubishi Lancer when it collided with a Holden Colorado killing Jack’s mate Ashley Anderson just after midnight on Sunday.

One of the cars

The boys, school friends from Windaroo Valley State High School, had been to a party and were on their way home after a great night out.

“Jack saw the last thing Ash had seen,” Mr Myers said.

“But Jack is extremely lucky to survive as well as the other young fellas in the back seat.

“I heard the bang from my house and heard the sirens and I lay there in my bed knowing there was a crash, knowing Jack was out.

Jack Myers, in the middle back row, with his mate Ashley Anderson in the centre, front row.

“Then that phone call. It’s a phone call I knew was coming. I knew what it was before answering it.

“A parent’s bond with their children is very strong — intuition they call it.

“You know when something is wrong. This is why we grow grey hair.

“Just listen to what your parents tell you. They would never put you in harm’s way.

“I know teenagers think they know everything but you can’t replace life experience.”

Best friends Jack Myers and Ashley Anderson.

Mr Myers said his son’s head took a pretty hard hit with Ash’s head during the crash and he now has some whiplash.

He said another teen, sitting in the back seat, was still in hospital in a stable condition and another has three broken ribs.

Mr Myers said he hoped young drivers took more care on the road and begged them to obey the road rules such as give way signs.

“My father was a police officer and he taught me how to drive,” he said.

“One thing that always stuck in my head and one thing I still practise after almost 35 years of driving is to treat give way signs as stop signs.

“It may take an extra five seconds, but it is just always good practice to check the road is clear.”

Another tip was to catch a taxi when out having a drink and leave the car keys at home.

The incident at the intersection of Beaudesert-Beenleigh Rd and Belivah Rd at Bahrs Scrub stirred an outpouring of grief at Windaroo Valley State High where the boys went to school.

Counsellors are being employed to help students and staff come to grips with the death of Ashley, a past student who graduated in December.

Part of the letter from Windaroo Valley State High School principal Tracey Hopper.

Windaroo Valley State High School principal Tracey Hopper said the school community was shocked by Ashley’s death.

She said wellbeing staff and guidance counsellors were helping family, friends and staff with their grief and said extra staff were also giving support.

“As a school community, we extend our sincere sympathies to his family, caregivers, friends and loved ones at this difficult time.

“Our thoughts and well wishes are also with a number of former students who were injured as a result of this incident.

“I know you and your children will share in our shock and sadness by the enormity of this situation and will have many questions.

It was the fifth death on Logan roads this year and the state’s 39th.