Father and daughter killed in horror Milperra car crash have been identified

A father and his 11-year-old daughter from Sydney’s southwest, have been identified as the victims of a horror multi-car crash involving a rideshare service.

The scene of a horror crash that killed two people in Milperra. Picture: TNV

A father and his 11-year-old daughter from Sydney’s southwest have been identified as the victims of a “horrifying” multi-car crash involving a rideshare service.

Thai Duong and his daughter Haili died while riding in the back seat of a DiDi rideshare vehicle when it crashed in western Sydney on Sunday evening.

At 7.40pm emergency services were called to Milperra Rd, Milperra near the Bankstown Aerodrome after reports of the serious multi-car crash, with a car and ute colliding on the roadway.

Up to a dozen crews including critical care paramedics and doctors arrived at the scene to find the Toyota utility destroyed and Toyota sedan rolled, trapping the driver and passengers inside.

Mr Duong, 41, and his daughter died at the scene while his nine-year-old son, Justin is in hospital in a critical condition.

Thai Duong and his daughter Haili died while riding in the back seat of a DiDi rideshare vehicle – which crashed, in western Sydney on Sunday evening. Picture: TNV

Up to a dozen crews including critical care paramedics and doctors arrived at the scene to find the Toyota utility destroyed and Toyota sedan rolled, trapping the driver and passengers inside. Picture: TNV

The family are members of St Brendan’s Catholic Primary School in Central Bankstown community, with the school sending parents an email informing them of the “tragic” deaths on Monday morning.

“It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that the accident being reported in the news this morning involved a member of our school community,” principal Patricia Laidler wrote.

“Tragically, Haili Duong from Year 6 died in the accident along with her father Thai Duong last night.

An email informed the school community about the deaths on Monday morning.

“At this time we send our deepest condolences to the whole family as they grieve this loss. The school will work closely with the family to ensure they have the support and care they need during this time.

“Death is tragic, no matter how it occurs and it leaves hind many loved ones who need our support more than anything during this time. As a school community, we pray for Haili and her family and she is deeply in our thoughts and prayers.”

NSW ambulance crews transported the rideshare driver in the sedan — a 52-year-old man — to Westmead Hospital and remains in a serious condition.

NSW ambulance crews transported the rideshare driver in the sedan — a 52-year-old man — to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition. Picture: TNV

A 19-year-old man who was behind the wheel of the utility, was treated at the scene for minor injuries before being taken to Liverpool Hospital.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden said through viewing dash-cam footage from the rideshare Camry, the vehicle turned right at the intersection when it “wasn’t safe to do so” and was impacted by the Toyota Hilux.

“I’m satisfied the traffic control lights were working at the time and the driver did undertake a right hand turn and on the dashcam there are clearly other vehicles visible coming from the opposing direction,” he said on Monday afternoon.

“It was a clear single green traffic controller. There was no particular arrow.

“I’m satisfied that it wasn’t safe to do so (turn right).”

Assistant Commissioner McFadden said police were investigating whether the 19 year – old behind the wheel of the ute was driving at a speed greater than the 70 km / hour limit. Picture: TNV

Assistant Commissioner McFadden said police were investigating whether the 19 year – old behind the wheel of the ute was driving at a speed greater than the 70 km / hour limit.

“All drivers in these serious crashes, their behaviour is looked at in a very minute and detailed way and it is (speed) one of the factors we will be looking at,” he said.

He also said the DiDi driver would be interviewed following his release from hospital.

“There’s a driver responsible for their behaviour and they’ve got to drive with that responsibility as their key focus,” Mr McFadden said.

“Often what we are seeing is drivers dropping the ball and they’re not as sharp as they should be and not taking the responsibility as seriously as they should and unfortunately this is a driver responsibility issue.”

The senior police officer highlighted over the past nine days a total 5,900 speeding drivers have been detected on NSW roads.

“What we’ve seen over the last week is a real frustration on our part but I just can’t imagine the tragedy that has fallen before so many families in this short period of time,” he said.

“We’ve arrested 288 drivers for alcohol related drink driving. 651 with the presence of illicit drugs in their system, 400 for using their mobile phones a further 770 had legal action taken because they were driving unlicensed, disqualified or cancelled.

“These are the factors that are impacting the lives lost on our roads and we’re doing everything to prevent this from happening.”

NSW Ambulance Acting Superintendent Dylan Snape said multiple crews arrived to a “severe collision”.

“Crews assessed and treated five patients, three of which were transported to multiple hospitals in serious but stable conditions. Unfortunately despite best efforts, two patients have lost their lives, one being an adult,” Supt Snape said at the scene.

A 19-year-old man who was behind the wheel of the utility, was treated at the scene for minor injuries before being taken to Liverpool Hospital. Picture: TNV

“It is safe to say this is a highly emotional scene for all first responders involved, not only NSW Ambulance but for Fire and Rescue firefighters and NSW Police, and we certainly want to recognise them for their efforts tonight.”

A spokesman for the DiDi rideshare service confirmed the sedan driver was using the company’s platform at the time of the crash.

“We are aware of an incident which occurred during a DiDi trip in Sydney on the evening of Sunday 26 May, resulting in the death of two individuals,” the spokesman said.

“DiDi will work with law enforcement in its investigation into the incident.

“Our hearts go out to those involved and to those impacted by this incident, and will provide support wherever possible.”

A crime scene has been established and officers attached to the Crash Investigation Unit have launched an investigation into the incident.

On Monday morning only broken glass and torn up police tape remained at the intersection of Milperra Rd and Murray Jones Drive. Picture: Richard Dobson

A witness named Paul was travelling in the middle lane beside the Camry when it “turned right into the street, misjudging the traffic.”

“The lights were not operational,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“It was horrifying.

“The young bloke (ute driver) got out dazed and confused then ran to the Camry and tried to help as well.”

He said the DiDi driver “had a blank stare and was not responding to us talking to him.”

“There was an eerie silence (following the collision), the boy after a few minutes started crying and we knew at the very least he was alive,” he said.

“The dad (who was sitting on the passenger side in the back set) copped the full force of the hit.”

As inquiries continue police are urging anyone with dashcam footage, CCTV vision or information about the crash to contact Bankstown police or Crime Stoppers.

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