Devastated Melbourne mother mourns son’s death in car crash after chilling text message

The 37-year-old’s phone automatically messaged his mother with the gut-wrenching news.

A Melbourne mother has detailed the gut-wrenching moment a text message revealed her son was involved in a deadly car crash, decades after her daughter was also killed in a similar accident.

Marc Rowan, 37, was killed on May 3 when his car rolled on Fallon Street in North Albury.

In the moments after the crash, his phone automatically messaged his mother, Jacquelyne Rowan, through an app on his phone.

Jacquelyne Rowan received a heartbreaking automated text alert from her son Marc’s phone after a fatal car crash. Picture: 7NEWS

“Crash detected SOS,” it read.

“I called emergency services from this approximate location after the iPhone detected a crash.

“You are receiving this message because I have you listed as an emergency contact.”

Ms Rowan told 7NEWS she tried to call Marc, but “he didn’t answer”.

And shockingly, her grief is compounded by the death of her young daughter who was also killed in a car accident in 1993.

“I feel like I’m a shell of myself, but I’ve got to keep going,” she told the broadcaster.

The message, triggered by his iPhone’s crash detection feature, informed her he had been in an accident — her call to him went unanswered. Picture: 7NEWS

Family and friends are now fundraising to “give our son the send off he deserves and bury him with his sister”, the heartbroken mother added through tears.

Ms Rowan said her son “would always step up, he was always there” as reported by NewsLocal earlier this month.

“Nothing changed over the years, he would always put others first. If you need anything Marc would be the first person to step up,” Ms Rowan said.

Her grief is compounded by the loss of her daughter in a 1993 crash, with family now fundraising to bury Marc beside his sister. Picture: 7NEWS

“He drove trucks for many years, he loved the open road. He was well mannered and praised for his work ethics and politeness.

“When he put his mind to something, he would make sure it was done.”

As of mid-May 2025, Victoria has recorded 117 road deaths, up from 104 at the same time last year.

New South Wales has reported 137 road fatalities this year, marking a concerning increase from 117 during the same period in 2024.

Originally published as Devastated Melbourne mother mourns son’s death in car crash after chilling text message