Police formally identify Lajamanu family killed in Pine Creek crash

Police have formally identified the four young daughters, all aged under 10, and their parents killed in a horror highway crash, as investigations into the cause of the tragedy continue.

Investigators have formally identified a family of six killed in one of the worst road fatalities police had ever seen on Territory roads.

The Disaster Identification Team confirmed a man and a woman, both 34, and four young girls aged nine, six, four and two were killed when their 4WD collided with a road train on the Stuart Highway in late September.

Police confirmed the family were from Lajamanu, a remote community of 600 people west of Katherine.

Commander Peter Kennon said investigations into the tragedy were continuing.

“This tragic incident has resulted in the loss of an entire family and has impacted a huge portion of the community,” he said.

A roadside memorial for the Lajamanu family of six killed in a tragic crash on the Stuart Highway in late September. Picture: Tara Miko

“A report is currently being prepared for the Coroner as investigators continue their work to understand how the crash occurred.

“The family of the deceased have requested privacy at this time and at this stage no further information on the identity of the deceased will be provided.”

Lajamanu community members held sorry business for the family earlier this month, with the father believed to be a Central Desert Regional Council ranger.

The NT News has chosen not to name the deceased without the consent of their family for cultural reasons.

Police said the family were travelling in their newly purchased 2009 Mitsubishu Pajero when it veered into the path of a three-trailer road train on the highway, south of Pine Creek, on September 29.

The road train rolled to the side of the road, spilling thousands of litres of fuel which soon erupted into a “fireball” explosion.

It took emergency services six hours to contain the blaze.