Tributes flow for Julia May as teen daughters fight for their lives after “horrific” crash at Cedar Creek

The community around the May family – who were left heartbroken at the death of mum Julia – has pooled together to raise thousands of dollars only hours after the fundraiser was launched.

The community around the May family – who were left devastated after the death of mum Julia in a an “horrific” car crash – has pooled together to raise $17,000.

Families and Friends member Clare Watt said the GoFundMe was important for the family and Julia’s passing “left a hole in the (Rivermount) College community”.

The $17,000 has been raised within 14 hours will support the family, who have been left grieving after Julia died at the scene of the shocking accident on Monday.

Yatala mum Julia May, 47, was killed in the crash, while her husband Jason, 46, and their daughters Taylah, 15, and Caitlyn, 17, were injured. Picture: Supplied

“It is with great sadness that we inform the Rivermount College Community that beloved staff member Julia May, tragically passed away in a fatal car accident on Monday night,” the GoFundMe reads.

“Julia was one of a kind. She always exuded the most beautiful energy and was known to all the parents as the bright and forever joyful Teacher Aide with the most genuine and kind heart.

“Jason and their two daughters are going to need all the help they can get while they try and piece their life back together after this tragic loss.

“We are hopeful that the money raised here will assist them with the many unforeseen expenses they will now incur as they navigate through this trying time.”

One-hundred and forty-six people have donated to the GoFundMe in a hope to reach $50,000.

Julia’s husband Jason, 46, and daughters Taylah, 15, and Caitlyn, 17, are in a stable condition in hospital.

The driver of a second vehicle, a 44-year-old Yarrabilba man, involved in the deadly Gold Coast crash remains in a serious condition in hospital.

The scene of a two-vehicle crash at Cedar Creek overnight in which Julia May, 47, was killed. Picture: Loudlabs Australia.

Officers said two four-wheel-drives travelling in opposite directions collided “at a great rate of speed” on Plunkett Rd, Cedar Creek, about 6.20pm on Monday.

Yatala mum Julia May, 47, was pronounced dead at the scene.

His condition was listed as serious on Wednesday.

Eleven crews, including the high acuity response unit and a rescue helicopter, responded to the smash.

Forensic Crash Unit officers are continuing their investigation and asking for anyone who may have witnessed the crash, or has dashcam footage of either vehicle, to contact police.

Ray of Sunshine: Julia May remembered

UPDATE TUESDAY: Kind soul, passionate educator, loving wife and mother – this is how family and friends are remembering a Yatala woman who touched the hearts of many before being taken too soon.

Tributes have poured in for teacher’s aide Julia May, who died in a horrific crash in the city’s north, leaving her husband and two daughters seriously injured.

Officers said two four-wheel-drives travelling in opposite directions collided “at a great rate of speed” on Plunkett Rd, Cedar Creek, about 6.20pm on Monday.

Mrs May, 47, was pronounced dead at the scene and her husband Jason, 46, was in a serious but stable condition.

Their daughters – Taylah, 15, and Caitlyn, 17 – were flown to Brisbane in a critical condition, but had improved to stable yesterday.

The driver of the second vehicle, a 44-year-old Yarrabilba man was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition.

Richard Young, principal of Yatala’s Rivermount College, said a crash like this “was just a matter of time”. Picture: Loudlabs Australia.

Mrs May’s workplace, Yatala’s Rivermount College, spent Tuesday mourning the beloved teacher’s aide and colleague.

Principal Richard Young called her the “unappointed staff encourager”.

Mrs May began working as a teacher’s aide at Rivermount College in 2010, a year after her daughter Caitlin started preschool there. Her second daughter started in 2011.

Mr Young said: “We would always receive random emails from Julia that were sent to all of the staff with beautiful messages.

“They always came at those pressure point times when she knew staff were under the pump.

“She took it upon herself to encourage people around the school and remind people just what a wonderful community we have.

A woman is dead and three of her family members are seriously injured following a two-vehicle crash at Cedar Creek on the Gold Coast on Monday night. Picture: 7 News

“That’s what everyone will remember and miss about Julia,” he said.

Mr Young said the school had set up a counselling hub to assist children with any questions but was urging parents to pick-up their children.

“I don’t have enough counsellors here,” he said. “The school is really struggling. Unfortunately a lot of the parents are going to have difficult conversations with their kids.”

Mr Young said he would talk to the family about holding a memorial service for Mrs May.

He hoped this would be a wake-up call to people driving too fast along those roads.

“Unfortunately it’s a long stretch of road, with an unbroken line and people unfortunately treat it like it’s 80km,” he said. “It always takes a tragedy for people to realise how dangerous it is.”

Queensland Police Service Acting Inspector Mark Proctor described the crash scene as “horrific”.

The scene of a two-vehicle crash at Cedar Creek overnight in which Julia May, 47, was killed. Picture: Loudlabs Australia.

“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.”

Originally published as Tributes flow for Julia May as teen daughters fight for their lives after “horrific” crash at Cedar Creek