Grandmother of John Keegan, 15, who was killed helping victims of Orange crash, also dies

Relatives of 15-year-old John Keegan — who died after being hit by a truck while helping an elderly couple at a roadside crash — have tragically been left to crowd-fund for a second funeral.

The family mourning a teenage good Samaritan killed in a roadside crash near Orange are today reeling from a second death.

John Keegan, 15, was hit and killed by a truck while assisting a couple aged in their 70s involved in an earlier crash on Friday night.

The keen rugby league player was a passenger in a friend’s ute that rear-ended a BMW hatchback waiting to turn right from the Mitchell Hwy on to Thompson St, in what was described as a “minor accident”.

A young John Keegan with his loving grandmother Jenny Kellett, both of whom died on Friday night.

John got out to check on the occupants of the BMW — a 72-year-old man and a 71-year-old woman — when a prime mover travelling in the opposite direction collided with both cars and the boy at 8.15pm.

At roughly the same time John’s maternal grandmother, Jenny Kellett, 76, also died.

Mrs Kellett battled dementia for a number of years before succumbing to natural causes associated with the condition.

“Jenny is survived by her loving husband and carer of 55 years, Brian Kellett,” John’s uncle Ben Keegan said.

A crowd-funding campaign has been established to help the family pay for the cost of two funerals.

John Keegan, 15, was killed in a roadside crash in Orange.

John Keegan in nippers at three years old.

John’s heartbroken family had earlier paid tribute to the teen “who was quickly developing into a thoughtful, considerate young man”.

“Despite this being a heartbreaking time for the entire family, we are so proud that the caring qualities he displayed throughout his life were exemplified in his final moments,” parents Jason and Penny Keegan said.

“Although too short, we feel truly blessed to have had John touch our lives in such a profound way and leave us with such indelible memories. His absence will be felt by (us), his four sisters, younger brother and his extended family.

“The close friendships he forged with so many was testament to his fun-loving, loyal nature.

“The love and support shown by the Orange Community has given us all great comfort.

“We would like to express our thanks to the emergency services teams that attended the scene last night.”

Emergency services were faced with an “absolutely horrific scene” on Friday night, according to NSW Ambulance Inspector Peter Rowlands.

“You couldn’t sit down and add up the number of people this is going to affect, including the young man’s family,” Mr Rowlands said.

Tragedy … the scene on the Mitchell Hwy in Orange. Picture: TNV

One of the vehicles is towed away early on Saturday. Picture: TNV

The government was explicitly warned that a fatality at the intersection was “inevitable” as recently as February.

The Sunday Telegraph has sighted a letter from a concerned motorist, who did not wish to be named, sent to Regional Transport and Roads Minister Paul Toole in February recounting several near misses and pleading for urgent road upgrades.

The motorist described trying in vain to convince Transport for NSW bureaucrats to do something about the dangerous intersection.

“I honestly believe that the state of this intersection is such (that) a fatality is inevitable unless changes are made,” the motorist said in the letter to Mr Toole.

The prime mover is towed from the scene. Picture TNV

In response, Transport for NSW installed new warning signs, repainted the road lines and is expected to widen the road within the next year.

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Phil Donato, who heard the fatal crash from his home two kilometres away, said the intersection should have been made safer sooner.

“It shouldn’t take a fatal tragedy for the government to do something about a road residents have warned was unsafe for well over 12 months,” Mr Donato said.

The 17-year-old male driver of the Toyota and the elderly couple were taken to Orange Hospital in a stable condition.

Their injuries are not considered life-threatening.

Emergency vehicles at the crash site. Picture: TNV

The woman in the BMW was treated for a fractured pelvis after what was initially a minor accident.

Mr Rowlands said the tragedy was a warning to others about the risks of standing on a highway at a crash scene.

“At the time, you’re thinking about what just happened,” he said.

“You are not thinking over the hill is a truck coming and it probably can’t see you and can’t stop.

“This is a classic example and it’s not the first one unfortunately.”

The truck driver – a man aged 48 – was taken to Orange Hospital for mandatory testing.

A crime scene was set up and the Crash Investigation Unit is investigating.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

To donate to the crowdfunding campaign for both funerals, head to

https://gofund.me/0721c239