Mum killed, family members seriously injured in horror smash
A teacher’s aide has been killed, while her husband is critical and their daughters are also in hospital after what police have described as a “horrific” crash at a “very great rate of speed”.
QLD News
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Police have told of the “horrific” view that greeted them at the scene of a two-vehicle crash on the Gold Coast that has torn a South East Queensland family apart.
Officers said two four-wheel-drives driving in opposite directions collided “at a great rate of speed” on Plunkett Rd, Cedar Creek, about 6.20pm Monday night.
Yatala mum and Beenleigh’s Rivermount College teacher’s aide, Julia May, 47, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her husband, Jason, 46, was critically injured and their daughters Taylah, 15, and Caitlyn, 17, were also hurt in the horror smash.
The driver of the second vehicle, a 44-year-old Yarrabilba man, was taken to the Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition.
Richard Young, principal of Beenleigh’s Rivermount College where Mrs May worked as a prep school aide, said the school community was ‘devastated’.
“The May family has been part of our community for many, many years – the girls have done their entire schooling here,” he said.
“Julia was a most amazing and wonderful supportive person. She was a ray of sunshine for our school. She was always one of those people who encouraged everyone to look on the bright side of life.
“It’s an absolute tragedy and we just hope Jason and the girls pull through.”
Mr Young said the husband of another staff member was one of the first on the scene of the crash and is believed to have given first aid.
He said had spoken with Mrs May’s family and they were ‘in shock’.
Mr Young said the school would hold a memorial service for Mrs May when the time was right, but the focus now was praying for the recovery of Mr May and his daughters.
“At the moment, everyone is rattled and we’re just trying to glue people together,” he said.
Mr Young revealed that he lived in the area of the crash and heard sirens and a helicopter.
“You just knew that whatever happened was a tragedy,” he said.
“An accident like this on Plunkett Rd was just a matter of time, because some motorists treat it like a racetrack.”
One of the first responders described the road as “like a rollercoaster” due to its undulations, twists and turns. It had also been raining prior to the crash.
Queensland Police Service Acting Inspector Mark Proctor described the scene as “horrific”.
“Two very large four-wheel-drives had hit at a very great rate of speed,” he said.
“It will have an effect on everyone who has been here tonight, and every one of the other accidents that we’ll go to in the coming weeks, months and years, and they just keep rolling on and on because people won’t slow down.”
Mrs May had posted on social media about her love and pride for her family.
“Wow – where has that time gone??,” she wrote on Facebook last month beneath photos of Taylah and Caitlyn as youngsters.
“From a cute little girl in Prep January 2009 with her proud little (just as cute) sister by her side – to a gorgeous young lady in year 12 October 2021 with her proud younger (just as gorgeous) sister still by her side and still just as proud.”
Eleven crews, including the high acuity response unit and a rescue helicopter, responded to the smash.
Forensic Crash Unit officers are investigating and asking for anyone who may have witnessed the crash, or has dashcam footage of either vehicle, to contact police.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Originally published as Mum killed, family members seriously injured in horror smash
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