Mourners farewell David, Lydia Drozd at funeral after horror Lithgow crash

A respected traffic engineer and his 11-year-old ‘peacemaker’ daughter killed in a five-car crash near Lithgow days after Christmas have been lovingly farewelled by their large family.

A respected traffic engineer and his 11-year-old daughter have been farewelled at a moving funeral after they were killed in a horrific five-vehicle crash just four days after Christmas.

David Drozd and his daughter Lydia, remembered as kind and loving people, died following the horror smash on the Great Western Highway near Lithgow on December 29.

David, his wife Nicole and four of their nine children were travelling along the Great Western Highway at Wallerawang, when western Sydney father Jason McMahon smashed into their Kia Carnival at high-speeds, triggering a five-car collision.

David and Nicole were taking their children from their Blue Mountains home to Dubbo to visit their oldest daughter Miriam, who is expecting her first child.

“He cried tears of joy when I announced that he was going to be a grandfather,” Miriam said during her eulogy.

“It was always something he looked forward to. He would have been the best grandparent, and he was the person I was most excited to share the news with.”

Lydia Drozd’s coffin is accompanied by pallbearers, including her sisters, as they leave the funeral. Picture: Damian Shaw

David and Lydia Drozd were killed in a road accident at Lithgow.

David and Lydia Drozd’s memorial booklet.

David’s oldest son Tim said he would miss his dad “every day”, while another of his sons Joseph said there were “no words to describe” how much he loved his family.

“Dad, I love you and I’m beginning to realise just how much you loved me,” he said.

“My father loved my family so much, and he poured his heart out to my mum every day.”

David's wife Nicole and his son, who was injured in the crash, leave the service. Picture: Damian Shaw

Mourners at the Emmanuel Baptist Church for the funeral for Lithgow crash victims David and Lydia Drozd. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Rebekah, who was flown to hospital following the crash, also told the court her memories of her father singing his favourite songs around their home, her arm still in a sling following the crash.

Lydia, who died in hospital a week after the crash, was remembered as the “peacemaker” of the family, who loved to sing, dance and cook. Set to turn 12 in March, she was the only blonde-haired and blue-eyed child in the Drozd family.

“She had an easygoing and laid back personality,” Miriam said.

“She loved to dance, sing and crack jokes… I only wish I could have seen her grow up into the wonderful young woman she was becoming.”

Her older brother Joseph remembered the family’s final week with Lydia as she laid in the intensive care unit at Westmead Children’s Hospital.

“It was a really challenging last few days as we understood more about her condition,” he said.

“We were able to sit with her together one evening… to say goodbye…. I love you Lydia.”

Mr McMahon, who also died in the collision, was also remembered at a funeral on Friday.

Elizabeth Drozd, who survived the Lithgow road accident, speaking at the funeral.

Lydia and David were remembered for their kind hearts and love for their family.

His friends and family heard the father of three was “so passionate about his family, friends, bikes and cars.

“Jason will be remembered for his loyalty, kind heart, his little quirks and most of all the love he gave,” his eulogy read.

He had spent the day of the crash dirt bike riding at Sunny Corner with 19-year-old Declan Jones, and was travelling back to Cambridge Park when he crossed onto the wrong side of the road, triggering the horrific collision.

The scene of the crash was described as “total carnage”, with more than 80 emergency service personnel working to treat, rescue and free those caught up in the tragedy.