Mount Gambier girl, 15, dies in hospital after Nangwarry crash

A teenage girl critically injured in a horrific three-car crash that claimed the life of her younger brother has died in hospital.

• Grieving father speaks after tragic fatal crash

A teenage girl has died in hospital after a horrific three-vehicle crash on the Riddoch Highway on the Limestone Coast on Sunday.

The 15-year-old girl was critically injured in the collision which also claimed the life of her 5-year-old brother Isaac at Nangwarry about 2.40pm Sunday.

It is the second tragedy to strike the Eykelenburg family who was travelling in a grey Toyota station wagon that had braked to avoid hitting a black Holden sedan that had struck an emu.

The Toyota was then struck from behind by a white Nissan ute.

The Eykelenburg family were all taken to hospital including dad Chris, 42, to Mount Gambier.

Scene of the Nangwarry crash. Picture: Dylan Hogarth

His wife Paula, 46, is understood to have flown to Adelaide along with their 15-year-old daughter.

Their two other children, a 13-year-old girl and six-year-old boy, were also taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Chris Eykelenburg expressed his gratitude for the support his family has received. Picture: The SE Voice

Grieving father Chris Eykelenburg on Monday told The Advertiser he and his wife Paula were thankful for the support from the community in his family’s time of need.

“My wife and I are very grateful for anything given what we’ve lost,” he said.

“I’m still trying to come to terms with everything and I’m still in hospital.

“I thank all the emergency services for their efforts, I can’t fault them for everything they tried to do for us, they were so supportive.”

An online fundraiser has since raised more than $33,000 to support the family as they grapple with their unfathomable loss.

The children’s deaths are the 71st and 72nd lives lost on South Australian roads this year.

Support the fund here.

Originally published as Mount Gambier girl, 15, dies in hospital after Nangwarry crash