Caboolture rallies behind Lee family after tragic car crash

A well-loved southeast Queensland couple has suffered every parent’s worst nightmare after a horrific car crash left their little girl on life support, waiting for them to be well enough to visit her in hospital to say goodbye.

A heartbreaking plea to families north of Brisbane to help a well-known local family bring their little girl's body home has been made after a horrific car crash south-east of Perth.

Well-known Caboolture family Geoff, Sommar, Chloe and Declan Lee had recently moved to Western Australia and were victims in a tragic car crash in the Wheatbelt town of Williams, about 170km south east of Perth Sunday morning.

According to friend Barbara Wilkinson, the whole family was injured.

"Geoff has broken ankles, spinal injuries and various internal injuries," Ms Wilkinson said.

"Sommar has a broken pelvis, legs and wrist and severe lacerations to her face.

"Their eight-year-old son Declan has numerous cuts and bruises to his entire body.

"Ten-year-old Chloe has suffered head and spinal injuries and is on life support in Perth Children's Hospital."

Ten-year-old Chloe Lee remains on life support after her family, including little brother Declan (right) were involved in a horrific car crash in Perth. Chloe will remain on life support until her parents Geoff and Sommar can say goodbye. Picture: Supplied

Chloe will remain on life support until her injured parents are well enough to be transported to the children's hospital that is caring for their daughter and "kiss their baby girl goodbye".

The family had been driving along Pinjarra-Williams Rd in the Western Australian town about 9.37 Sunday morning.

All four of them were airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after their car crashed into a tree.

Volunteer firefighters worked for more than an hour to cut two members of the Lee family from their Mitsubishi Pajero. Major crash detectives are investigating the crash while witnesses have been urged to call Crime Stoppers.

 

The scene of the horrific car crash that has left 10-year-old Caboolture girl Chloe Lee on life support. Her injured parents are waiting to be stable enough to be transported to the hospital where Chloe is to say goodbye. PICTURE: 7NEWS

 

Ms Wilkinson said the family was well known in both Caboolture and Townsville and were hoping to bring Chloe back "home" to Caboolture for her funeral.

"So that her friend's and relatives have the opportunity to commemorate her short life."

Ms Wilkinson has launched a GoFundMe campaign on the family's behalf - it has raised moire than $20,000 in less than 24 hours.

"Geoff is currently employed on a casual basis and has no holiday/sick pay," Ms Wilkinson said.

"They have a house that they rent south west of Perth and a mortgage on their home in Caboolture.

"The family will be under significant financial pressure due to Geoff not being able to work and costs associated with the accident.

"Geoff and Sommar have contributed greatly to the local Caboolture community.

"The family were an integral part of the St Peter's Primary School.

Sommar was a devoted mother who campaigned tirelessly to raise funds for the school through the P and F.

"(They) desperately need everyone's help."

Friends of the beloved family have shared their dismay at the weekend's tragedy, with the mother of Chloe's best friend paying tribute to the little girl.

 

Tragic scenes at a crash in Western Australia that left 10-year-old Chloe Lee on life support. Picture: 7NEWS

 

"This beautiful family has been a part of our lives for the past six years," said Chantell Smith.

"Chloe has been (my daughter's) best friend since prep and we have had the pure joy of watching them grow, giggle and create memories together, this is by far the hardest news we have ever recieved.

"The Lee family have always been such a big part of the community and are just genuinely really humble good people.

"This has shattered many hearts and I can't imagine the pain Geoff, Sommar Lee and Declan are feeling but I hope by sharing this we can support them from afar and give them the love and time to heal from such a traumatic event.

"No family ever wants to experience this, and as parents it's our worst nightmare."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Originally published as Injured parents' heartbreaking wait to kiss their little girl goodbye