Janelle Noonan-Long tragically killed in Diggers Rest crash

The devastated family of a 22-year-old Hillside woman who died in a horror crash revealed the horror moment her partner arrived at the scene.

Janelle Noonan-Long tragically died in a car crash in Diggers Rest on Saturday.

A 22-year-old woman who tragically died in a car crash in Diggers Rest on Saturday has been remembered as “beautiful and funny woman” who was “loved by everyone she met”.

The heartbroken family of Janelle Noonan-Long said she “passed too soon and too young”.

“We’re all absolutely devastated,” cousin Christopher Noonan said.

“It just happened so suddenly.”

The Herald Sun understands Ms Noonan-Long was a passenger in the car that veered off Plumpton Road and struck a pole just after midnight.

The driver, who is believed to be a work colleague of Ms Noonan-Long, remains in critical condition with a fractured spine and brain bleeding.

Both women live in Hillside.

Janelle Noonan-Long.

As it started to get late on Saturday night, Ms Noonan-Long’s partner Taylah Modrich noticed she hadn’t arrived home from work at the usual hour and started to panic.

“Taylah was worried sick. She knew something wasn’t right and decided to call Janelle’s work,” Mr Noonan said.

“Her boss answered and said Janelle hadn’t been at work since 8pm.

“So, Taylah started to drive through every street looking for her.

“She then got a notification on her phone that there was an accident in Diggers Rest and drove to the scene.

“As soon as she got there she instantly knew it was Janelle.

“Taylah kept trying to tell the police officers that she was Janelle’s girlfriend.

“The cops said it was too hard to identify the women due to the amount of damage done to her body from the crash.

“They later identified her through her tattoos.”

Ms Modrich said her girlfriend “had the brightest soul and purest heart.”

“I will forever miss you and cherish our memories,” she said.

Mr Noonan said the family are extremely close as they have been through tragedy in the past.

“Janelle and her sister have been on their own for quite a long time now – their mother sadly passed away years ago,” he said.

“Yet, she always had a positive attitude and made everyone laugh.

“She will be greatly missed.”