Teen dead, 5 others seriously hurt in Northern Beaches crash

Family and friends of 16-year-old Cohen Griggs, killed in a ute crash on the northern beaches, have gathering at the site to mourn, comfort each other and lay flowers.

Family and friends of 16-year-old Cohen Griggs, killed in a ute crash on the northern beaches, have gathering at the site to mourn, comfort each other and lay flowers.

Cohen was remembered as a keen skater who could often be found at Mona Vale Skate Park and went to school at Narrabeen High School.

A shrine adorned with flowers, skateboards and a bottle of Coopers are the last memories dozens of young people he called friends will have of him.

The grief seemed too much for many of those who knew the teenager well.

On Saturday afternoon up to 50 people held vigil, standing in a circle wiping away tears, at the scene of the crash.

Cohen Griggs was a keen skateboarder.

Emergency services at the scene.

One young boy with his dad laid teddy bears with sunglasses, while some mourners became so emotional they had to leave.

“I just knew him from skating but I hadn’t been there in about a year,” one teenager told the Sunday Telegraph through tears.

Friends of the deceased gather on Saturday at the tree the ute crash into around lunchtime. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Friend at the scene as darkness fell on Saturday night. Picture: Damian Shaw

“But when I heard who it was I was shocked, I couldn’t believe it.”

Earlier, shocked witnesses to the crash described the horror moment a ute carrying six teens slammed into a tree on the northern beaches overnight, killing one.

One of the first locals to call emergency services in Bayview in the early hours told the Saturday Telegraph of the chaos that took hold on their normally quiet, leafy street.

A skateboard left at the scene. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Flowers are being left at the site. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“It was all quiet and then there was a huge bang, two bangs,” they said.

“And then we heard him screaming for help. Like ‘help, help’.

“One got out of the car and was withering on the side of the road, another did the same and one boy was unconscious stuck in the car. That poor boy. He was so pale.”

The 16-year-old who died was travelling in the front-passenger seat of the Toyota HiLux, police said.

A 16-year-old boy travelling in the front-passenger seat died. Picture: Monique Harmer

A 17-year-old red P-plate driver was flown to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a critical but stable condition while four boys travelling in the back seat — one aged 16 and three aged 17 — remain in Royal North Shore Hospital.

Another neighbour, who did not want to be identified, said several cars drove past the boys before one stopped to help.

“He stayed with them right until the very end.”

The crash site in Cabbage Tree Rd was the scene of another fatal accident 20 years ago in which two teens died.

Emergency services at the site of the crash.

Paramedics at work.

The scene moments after the fatal crash. Picture: Supplied

The Hilux was full of teens when it crashed into a tree. Picture: Supplied

Paramedics stretcher one of the injured from scene. Picture: Supplied

Officers being investigations at the crash site. Picture: Monique Harmer

Locals at the scene of the crash on Saturday morning. Picture: Monique Harmer

Police on the scene at Cabbage Tree Road, Bayview on Saturday morning. Monique Harmer

Northern Beaches Police commander Pat Sharkey said that the 17 year-old driver, or any of the other injured passengers, was yet to be interviewed by police.

But Superintendent Sharkey confirmed that the issues of speed, road conditions, and if alcohol or drugs were involved would form part of the investigation by the police Crash Investigation Unit.

“It’s very early days … all of those factors have yet to be identified,” he said.

“I wouldn’t suggest that specifically that the piece of road is any more dangerous than any other piece of road on the northern beaches.”

Supt Sharkey said there were five seat belts in the ute that was carrying the six teens.

The crash site is being forensically examined by specialist officers. Picture: Monique Harmer

The same tree was the site of a fatal crash that killed two teens and a dog in 2003. Picture: Bill Hearne

He said emergency services were confronted by a chaotic and traumatic scene.

“It appears that two of the occupants had been ejected from the vehicle.”

All the boys lived in various suburbs on the northern beaches, but primarily on the northern end of the peninsula.

Police said emergency services were confronted by a chaotic and traumatic scene.

The road remained closed as investigations began. Picture: Monique Harmer

The injuries suffered by the teens ranged from serious crush injuries to the chest to fractures.

“We don’t believe there are any further life threatening injuries at this stage.” Supt. Sharkey said

A suggestion that the vehicle may have been leaving a party in the area will be part of the investigation of the incident.

“We believe they were all friends, which certainly makes it more difficult for the families.”

Supt. Sharkey appealed to any witnesses to contact Northern Beaches Police.

He also urged drivers, especially young and inexperienced drivers, to be more careful on the road.

“Drive with due care and consideration of the road conditions at the time.

“This is why we give these messages about driving safely and driving to avoid tragedies like this.

“There was rain last night, the road may have been wet.”