Dad, 43, and two children killed in horror crash near Grafton identified

A heartbroken mother whose two children were killed alongside their dad in a shocking car accident has paid tribute to her son and daughter.

A shattered mother whose son and daughter were killed in a horror crash alongside their father says she has lost her “whole world” in one tragic accident.

Kayden Danks-Brown, 14, his adored little sister Sharna, 11, and their father Lance all died on impact when the dual-cab utility hit a tree at Coutts Crossing, near Grafton, on Saturday night.

The childrens’ mother Tania Brown, who was separated from Mr Danks-Brown, posted a smiling and happy photo of her kids on social media yesterday, saying she wishes she could wake up from the nightmare she is living.

“Not my whole world ... I will wake up now, please,” Ms Brown wrote.

A friend posted beneath the picture: “It’s not real, it can’t be real”, to which Ms Brown replied: “My thoughts exactly”.

Kayden Danks-Brown, 14, and his sister Sharna, 11, who were both killed alongside their dad in a tragic triple fatal crash at Grafton on Saturday night. Picture: Facebook

Mr Danks-Brown, 43, and the children were travelling in pouring rain along Kangaroo Creek Road at Coutts Crossing, 30km southof Grafton, when the vehicle left the road and hit a tree.

Peter Martin, whose house is just metres from the crash site, said the accident happened at 9.30pm and the driving conditions were shocking amid bad weather and the dark country road.

“We heard a bang and it sounded like a roll of thunder, but I looked outside and couldn’t see anything,” Mr Martin said.

“And then I wake up ... and find out three people have died on my property.”

Friends flooded Ms Brown’s post of her children with tributes to her “prince and princess”.

“Have been thinking of you all day... I am totally lost for words because there are none that can take away the pain,” a friend commented.

Truck driver Lance Danks-Brown who was killed alongside his two children in a tragic accident in Grafton on Saturday night. Pictured with his girlfriend Amie Pithers. Picture: Facebook

Another friend wrote: “I have no words beautiful Tan ... Kayden and Sharna are so blessed to have you as their mumma”.

“Sending you so much love for the loss of your prince and princess,” another friend said.

Mr Danks-Brown’s girlfriend Amie Pithers, who has also been left heartbroken by the tragedy, posted a brave message to MsBrown.

“No words will ever make this OK, but I love you,” Ms Pithers wrote.

Devastated friends said Mr Danks-Brown was a well-known truck driver in the region, who was actively involved in the localmotorbike community where Kayden was a rider.

“He was a great dad, kids were his world,” a friend said.

Locals said so many parts of the community would be devastated by the accident and the loss of Mr Danks-Brown and his kids.

“This tragedy has affected so many local people,’’ local woman Nikki Maddock said.

“Absolutely heartbreaking for a well-known family, parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins, school friends. No oneshould have to go through this.”

Police from the Coffs-Clarence Local Area Command are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident and are preparing a report for the Coroner.