Family of mum, daughter killed in crash find hope in tragedy

'We will miss them more than words could ever describe'. Family reflect on the four lives saved thanks to Beverley Harwood.

Allan, Olivia, and Beverley Harwood at Olivia's formal. Picture: Contributed

THE Harwood family have issued a statement following the tragic deaths of beloved mother and daughter Beverley and Olivia Harwood.

Rockhampton Girls Grammar School senior Olivia, 17, died after the crash on the Warrego Hwy near Oakey.

Her mother Beverley, 44, died in hospital on Monday from the injuries she suffered.

Husband Allan, 48, was also seriously injured in the crash and is recovering in hospital.

Beverley and Allan's other daughters Sophie and Molly were not involved in the crash.

Beverley Harwood is being remembered as a generous and dedicated podiatrist whose work touched the lives of many. Picture: CQ Health

STATEMENT FROM ALLAN, SOPHIE AND MOLLY HARWOOD:

Beverley and Olivia were both loving, caring and generous to all who knew them.

We will miss them more than words could ever describe, but take comfort in knowing they are together.

We know that they would be pleased that out of our personal tragedy has come hope for many other families.

Beverley transformed four lives through organ donation and many others will benefit through her tissue donation.

We wish the transplant recipients all the best in their recovery, and we gain some comfort in knowing good has come out of tragedy.

READ: How organ donation gave this family a precious gift

Beverley was a huge advocate of organ and tissue donation and made sure we, as a family, were registered donors and had discussed donation.

It was because of this advocacy that we raised the question of donation with the Princess Alexandra Hospital Intensive Care Unit staff when it became clear that it would soon be time to say goodbye to Beverley.

We knew it was what she would have wanted and expected us to do.

Olivia Harwood, 17, died after a crash on the Warego Hwy near Oakey. Picture: Contributed

On behalf of Beverley we urge everyone to register their organ donation decision at donatelife.gov.au and have a chat to their families and friends about their wishes.

For those wishing to pay their respects to Olivia and Beverley, there will be a joint memorial service held in Rockhampton next month. Details will be released to family and friends closer to the time.

We now ask that our family be given privacy to grieve for a much-loved mother, wife and sister.

DONATE LIFE

• More than 1,400 Australians are waitlisted for an organ transplant and a further 11,000 on dialysis.
• Register at donatelife.gov.au using your Medicare card.
• It's important to let your family know your wishes, because nine in 10 families agree to donation when their loved one is a registered donor. This drops to four in 10 if the person is not registered and the family is unsure whether they were willing to be a donor. Regardless of your decision, your family will be asked to confirm it after you have died.
• Only one in three Australians have joined the Australian Organ Donor Register.
• Age is not a barrier - people over 80 have become organ and tissue donors.
• People who smoke, drink or have an unhealthy diet can still donate. You don't have to be in perfect health to save lives.
• You need to join the Australian Organ Donor Register - state-based driver's licence donor registries no longer exist.
• All major religions support organ and tissue donation as an act of compassion and generosity.
• Source: donatelife.gov.au

Originally published as Family of mum, daughter killed in crash find hope in tragedy