Two schoolmates killed, driver friend fights for life in McGraths Hill crash
Mourners have laid flowers and tributes at the western Sydney roadside where two mates heading home from a training session at the gym were killed and their driver friend was left fighting for life in an accident.
NSW
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Two mates heading home from a training session at the gym have been killed and their driver friend is fighting for life after a shocking accident in Sydney’s west.
Matthew Simpson, 17, and Addison Bhimjiani, 17, died at the scene when the Nissan 200SX they were passengers in slammed into a power pole at McGraths Hill on Monday night.
The driver of the car, P-plater Caleb Nolan, also 17, is currently in Westmead Hospital with chest injuries.
Police said the crash happened on Windsor Rd at 9.40pm, when the car collided with Ford Falcon, then struck the pole.
“Officers attached to Hawkesbury Police Area Command attended and found two teenage boys – who were passengers in the Nissan – critically injured, they both died at the scene,” NSW Police said in a statement.
“The driver of the Falcon stopped and rendered assistance calling Triple Zero.. He has been taken for mandatory blood and urine testing”.
Witnesses to the crash told The Daily Telegraph the Nissan was struck by the Ford as it turned out of a side street, causing it to lose control and hit the pole.
“They weren’t racing or anything like that,” a witness claimed.
A friend of the teens said they had been at the gym for a training session and were on their way home when the crash happened.
As news of the tragedy spread, dozens of tributes were posted online to the dead pair.
“Rest in peace boys, taken too soon, I love yous (sic),” one friend wrote.
Another posted: “Tragic for all involved. The poor driver, I hope he recovers”.
Police have appealed for anyone with dashcam vision to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The tragedy comes as three other people also lost their lives on NSW roads on Monday.
An elderly man was killed after his Holden Commodore station wagon collided with a Nissan Pathfinder SUV in the state’s Central West.
The driver of the SUV, a 56-year-old man, was treated for head injuries and airlifted to Westmead Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Just hours later a man and woman where killed in a two-vehicle crash near Hay on the Sturt Highway.
NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Anthony Boyd said the five deaths were all as a result of driver behaviour and motorists needed to take more care on the roads.
“In the last 24 hours, we’ve seen four major collisions on our roads. That has resulted in the death of five people and serious injury to six others,” the Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander said.
“It’s the time of year when we see the most traffic on our roads due to holiday traffic throughout our state. We’re calling for people to adhere to the messaging over the Christmas and New Year period - take responsibility for your behaviour on the road.
“The accidents in the last 24 hours are all related to driver behaviour, not related to any factor other than people making poor decisions on the roads and causing serious-injury collisions.”
Do you know more? Email: tips@dailytelegraph.com.au
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Originally published as Two schoolmates killed, driver friend fights for life in McGraths Hill crash
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