Killed teenagers partied together four days before fatal crash

Two “big-hearted” teenagers who were killed in a horror outback car crash were partying together just four days before the fatal accident. The vehicle, which was allegedly stolen, flipped and rolled several times.

Two “much loved” teenagers were partying together just four days before they were killed in a horror outback car crash.

Photographs posted on social media show Kevin ‘Kev’ Welsh, 18, and Lyall Kennedy, 16, laughing and enjoying themselves on November 28.

On December 2, the two indigenous boys were travelling with four other mates down the Castlereagh Highway at Gulargambone, 25 kilometres north of Gilgandra at around 6.30am.

Kevin Welsh (left) and Lyall Kennedy (right) were both killed in the horror accident. Picture: Facebook

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Police understand that Mr Welsh was driving a Ford Mondeo when he hit a patch of gravel at a notoriously dangerous bend in the road and lost control of the car.

The vehicle, which was allegedly stolen a week prior, skidded before flipping onto its side and rolling several times, coming to rest on the roadside.

Orana Mid-Western Police District Inspector Keith Ridley said that Mr Welsh, who only turned 18 in August, was killed on impact.

“Unfortunately the male driver, an 18-year-old from Coonamble, was ejected from the vehicle and killed instantly,” he said.

Mr Kennedy, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, miraculously survived the initial crash.

“A 16-year-old male that was in the front passenger seat of the vehicle suffered some critical head injuries,” Inspector Ridley said.

Lyall Kennedy (right) and his big sister Tessa Kennedy. Picture: Facebook

Mr Kennedy was flown to Westmead Hospital, but died on December 7, surrounded by his family.

The four other passengers, aged between 13 and 17, were sitting in the back seats when the horrific accident occurred.

They were treated in Westmead and Dubbo hospitals for minor injuries and have since been released.

Tributes have begun flowing for the two Coonamble High School boys, who are being remembered as “big hearted” by the close-knit outback community.

Lyall Kennedy’s older sister, Tessa Kennedy, said that she is lost without her “baby brother”.

“Our home feels so empty,” she said.

“The most big-hearted person I’ve known my entire life … I am going to miss that little cheeky smile.”

Police investigations into the circumstances that led to the boys’ deaths are ongoing, including inquiries into why six people were travelling in a car with five seats.

Inspector Ridley said that speed and alcohol had not been ruled out.

“There may have been some alcohol involved in relation to the accident,” he said.

“It may be necessary to get further witness statements as well as evidence from the hospital.”