Schoolies turns to grief after Charlie Stevens struck at Goolwa in alleged hit-run

Shocked Goolwa locals say shouts for help were heard moments after the sound of a car’s tyres screeching as Grant Stevens’ son was struck in an alleged hit-run.

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Schoolies celebrations have turned to grieving as news travels of shock alleged hit-run that has left Charlie Stevens, 18, with an irreversible brain injury – as parents flock to the region to take upset children home.

Charlie, the son of Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, was struck by a car at Goolwa on Friday night and was flown to Flinders Medical Centre, where he passed away about 7pm.

An 18-year-old Encounter Bay man was arrested nearby and has been charged with serious driving offences.

Witnesses have told of the urgency to treat the young man after the accident.

A resident on Beach Rd, Gary Scanlon, said he heard a car screeching and some yelling but assumed the Schoolies goers were misbehaving and having an argument.

Mr Scanlon then heard the youths shouting “help help”, after which he said three or four cars stopped.

Gary Scanlon, a nearby resident on Beach Road, says he heard shouts for help. Picture: Morgan Sette

Charlie Stevens with his dad, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens. Picture: Supplied

“One guy was on the ground and I presume his name was Steve because one guy (presumably Charlie’s friend) with him was calling, ‘Steve, Steve’, ” Mr Scanlon said.

“Then the other guy walked down, he was on the phone and he was talking with the speaker so I could hear it was triple-0.

“The third car stopped and a girl got out. She got down on her knees, walked over, was checking the pulse and all that so I assume she might have been a nurse.

“One of the guys next to her was going on saying he ‘couldn’t feel the pulse, hope he’s not dead’ or whatever else.”

Emergency workers at Beach Road, Goolwa, after Charlie was hit. Picture: Gary Juleff

Later Mr Scanlon heard ambulances, SES, police and the helicopter arrive.

Sam Taylor, 50, from Goolwa, saw the ambulances arrive, heard the helicopter and her eldest daughter reportedly saw the alleged offender get arrested.

“We had the helicopters come down and watched a van and it’s not too good,” she said.

“It wouldn’t be Schoolies without an incident happening – it’s been 25 years now and I think every year there’s been and incident.”

Local Dianne Campbell, 71, bought fresh flowers to put on the side of the road.

“I would like to send my condolences to the family and it’s a tragedy what has happened here,” she said.

Goolwa local Dianne Campbell leaves flowers on Beach Road where Charlie Stevens was struck by a car. Picture: Morgan Sette

The mood was sombre at the nearby Middleton Caravan Park, 7km from the scene, where up to 200 school leavers have set up tents to toast the end of year 12 exams.

Several of the young Schoolies staying at the park were good friends with Charlie, and were too distressed to speak.

A group of his close friends have left Middleton to return back to Adelaide and grieve together.

Another school leaver, who didn’t want to be named, said they were still coming to terms with the tragedy.

“A few of us knew him from around the place, he was a good friend, a great guy,” he said.

“We’re struggling a bit today but we’re battling through.”

Another said the accident had “rocked” the young community.

The scene on Beach Road, Goolwa, where Charlie was struck by a car. Picture: Morgan Sette

“It’s a weird feeling. You don’t know what to do,” he said. “You can’t be happy when your mates are sad. It’s pretty tough but you’re just trying to look after our mates.”

Two young school leavers said the tragedy had a big impact on the celebrations.

“He was such a nice guy, fun, great to be around. This morning was really tough, we’re trying to send our condolences and be there for one another,” he said.

Another said the tragedy had hit their friendship group hard.

“We didn’t know him well but it definitely killed the mood a bit,” she said.

“It’s just so tragic. It’s certainly changed the atmosphere in the park today, when that sort of thing happens to one of you,” she said.

Several of Charlie’s mates staying at the nearby Middleton Caravan Park, just 7km from the scene, were struggling to accept their fun-loving friend “was gone”.

They sat around in small groups, comforting each other and remembering Charlie over a quiet drink.

Taylan Ryan, 18, from Plympton Park, said he and his friends were stunned when they heard the news on Friday night.

“We didn’t want to believe it when we were told last night. How does something like that happen?” he said.

The Sacred Heart College student said it was a difficult morning for his group of mates.

“Everyone’s pretty devastated. There were a few tears shed, that’s for sure,” Taylan said. “It’s just really tough, it’s always in the back of your mind now.”

Taylan, who used to play football with Charlie at Mitcham Hawks, described him as a “great bloke”.

“He always had a smile on his face, he always loved having fun,” he said.

“He’d always come over and say ‘hello’. He knew how to enjoy the moments.”

Up to 200 school leavers had set up their tents at the caravan park for the weekend but many who were close with Charlie are understood to have headed home on Saturday to grieve together. Clay Conway, 17, of Somerton Park, and Brydee Trewartha, 18, of Ceduna, said the tragedy had hit the young community hard.

“Some knew him better than others,” Brydee said.

“We’re just sitting around trying to comfort each other.

“It’s really changed everything. Even if we didn’t know him, it’s not the same now.”

At Victor Harbor, the site of the main Schoolies event, young people were trying to enjoy the event – but it was proving difficult.

Georgia Evans, 17, from Adelaide, said the mood was definitely a “bit lower today”.

“We don’t want to celebrate any more,” she said.

“We’ll be having a low-key night; we just want to make sure our friends are OK,” said the St Peters Girls School student.

She said several schoolies, especially those from Charlie’s school, Mercedes College, had already left to go home.

“Seeing the Mercedes College kids pack up their tents, it gave me chills,” Georgia said.

Emotions were running high on Saturday at Victor Harbor Caravan Park, where most of Charlie’s Mercedes classmates were staying. “All the (Mercedes) boys have packed up and left, the girls are staying around because they want to be with each other,” Charli McLoughlin, 17, from Pembroke High School, said.

Ben Jolly, 42, who lives near the park, said he has already seen the effect death has had on the school leavers in the area.

“It’s a real small community, and everyone’s felt it, it is horrible,” he said.

“You wouldn’t wish it on anyone or their family. We’re thinking of those that knew him.”

Originally published as Schoolies turns to grief after Charlie Stevens struck at Goolwa in alleged hit-run