GoFundMe page raises $7k for bandmates injured in Berkshire Park crash

Friends of Dennis Sales and Ken Morrow — seriously injured in the Berkshire Park crash that killed driver Shania McNeill on Sunday — have rallied to raise money for the mates who were driving home after playing a gig when their car was hit head-on.

Ken Morrow (left) and Dennis Sales were seriously injured when a car being driven by Shania McNeill, 21, collided with them head-on on Richmond Rd at Berkshire Park on Sunday morning. Ms McNeill died at the scene.

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A GoFundMe donation page for two men lucky to escape a deadly crash in Berkshire Park on Sunday has raised more than $7000.

John O’Hara launched the fundraiser after his close friends, Dennis Sales, of Cambridge Gardens, and Ken Morrow, of Blaxland, were seriously injured when Shania McNeill, 21, collided head-on with their car on Richmond Rd just after 1am on April 28.

The incident killed her and injured her two female passengers.

Dennis Sales and Ken Morrow were seriously injured when the car being driven by Shania McNeill, 21, collided with them head-on on Richmond Rd at Berkshire Park on Sunday.

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He described his shock after footage of Ms McNeill and her friends ‘playing chicken’ with oncoming cars and filming their antics on Snapchat shortly before the crash, was released online yesterday.

“Seeing that footage and finding out it could have almost been a deliberate act …. I feel absolute sorrow for the girl’s family,” he said.

“It’s devastating for the families and the friends. It’s quite a stupid act and she has paid the ultimate price.”

DONATE TO THE GOFUNDME PAGE HERE

Further outrage followed online when selfies of Ms McNeill’s passengers, Hazel Wildman, 23, and Faeda Hunter, 20, taken from their hospital beds emerged online yesterday.

Mr O’Hara said their behaviour was shocking.

“I don’t have a lot of sympathy for the two girls posting selfies from hospital,” he said.

“They were there when their friend had CPR performed on her and to go and do that is so disrespectful.”

Snapchat footage of Shania McNeill, 21, believed to have been taken shortly before the fatal crash.

Hazel Wildman and Faeda Hunter taking a selfie in hospital after being involved in a head-on crash at Berkshire Park.

Mr O’Hara said the men were bandmates in Rogue Syndicate and were travelling home from a gig at Riverstone RSL when Ms McNeill’s car wove into their lane in what police are investigating as a possible game of chicken.

Three days after the crash, the men remain in Westmead Hospital where they are recovering from devastating injuries.

Mr Sales is in intensive care with a fractured neck, fractured lower spine, punctured diaphragm, broken ribs and damaged oesophagus.

Mr Morrow is expected to be released from hospital today after sustaining a broken hand, rib injuries, bruising on the brain and a concussion.

Ken Morrow was seriously injured after the deadly crash at Berkshire Park on Sunday.

Dennis Sales remains in intensive care after Sunday’s deadly Berkshire Park crash.

Mr O’Hara said the crash had been life-changing for the men and their families.

“We’re very upset,” Mr O’Hara told the Advocate.

“It’s going to be life-changing for both of them.

“I spoke to Kenny’s brother-in-law yesterday and he was in absolute tears.

“We are a close group of friends and it’s been tough on all of us.”

He said the men’s lengthy recoveries would hit their families financially.

“Dennis is facing six to eight weeks in hospital at least. He is on a 12-month employment contract with NBN, so he will most likely be unemployed after this,” Mr O’Hara said.

“Kenny is self-employed. He uses his hands for work and owns a property maintenance business and is not unable to work.

“Financially, they are going to be hit hard by this.”

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A GoFundMe page for the men has raised more than $7000 since it was set up yesterday.

Plans are also underway to organise a benefit concert and auction fundraiser with local bands.

Mr O’Hara described the men as two of the nicest people he had met.

“You would have to travel a very long distance to meet two finer people,” he said.

“Dennis is a guy who is just full of life, her puts a smile on everyone’s face. He loves to joke and his one-liners a quite funny.

“Kenny is just the most beautiful man I have ever met. He’s a great family man and his family means everything to him.”

He urged other drivers to stop using their mobile phones and social media while behind the wheel.

“We’ve seen the result first-hand of being silly, being distracted and putting social media stuff out there while you’re in the car,” he said.

“It’s not on.”

Emergency services at the scene of the fatal accident on Richmond Road at Berkshire Park on Sunday morning.

His plea comes after Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy warned drivers of the dangers of mobile phone distractions while driving.

“If the police’s message saves another family from going through what we’re all going through, it’s worth listening to,” he said.