Tragedy as twin girls, 7, are killed in horror crash between Perth and Kalgoorlie
Twin girls who died in a horror motorway crash were described by loved ones as ‘sun souls’ before their lives were tragically cut short.
Sisters Macey and Riley, both seven, died when the Toyota Camry they were traveling in plowed into a tree about halfway between Perth and Kalgoorlie.
The girls’ mother, Rachel van Oyen, 31, was at the wheel when the vehicle left the Great Eastern Highway in Carrabin about 11am on Sunday.
The twins, who were both wearing seat belts, were pronounced dead at the scene while their mother was rushed to Merredin Hospital.
Merredin local Mark Beadle, whose daughter knew the twins, asked his community to pray for Mrs Van Oyen’s recovery and for her little girls.
“I don’t know how to pray for them, obviously for Rachel’s recovery, but otherwise I feel the need for prayer,” he told the West Australian.
‘It seems so huge. It helps that people pray with us.’
Twin sisters Macey and Riley, both seven, died when the Toyota Camry they were traveling in plowed into a tree about halfway between Perth and Kalgoorlie.
It is understood the trio were visiting relatives in Kalgoorie and on their way home to Perth when they crashed.
The girls’ grandmother described them as “sun souls” in a 2020 Facebook post.
She lovingly described her granddaughters as “beautiful, funny, sassy, magical little twins who “bring so much joy to their entire family.”
Detective Senior Sergeant Adam Matson of the major crash team told the media on Monday that the investigation into the ‘devastating’ crash was ongoing.
He said detectives had yet to speak to Ms Van Oyen, who was released from Merredin Hospital on Sunday after just a few hours.
“The loss of life on WA roads is an absolute tragedy, but to lose the lives of two young seven-year-old girls in one case is extremely heartbreaking,” he said.
‘This crash and the deaths of two young girls will have a long-lasting impact on the family, friends and the wider community.’
The girls’ mother, Rachel van Oyen, 31, was at the wheel when the vehicle came off the Great Eastern Highway (pictured) in Carrabin about 11am on Sunday.
WA Prime Minister Roger Cook spoke about the dangers of Western Australia’s highway network as he showed his support for the family.
“Obviously WA has a huge highway. And we as a state are more dependent on vehicle transportation than any other state, and on vehicles that travel many distances. So by its very nature it is dangerous,” he said.
The accident closed the Great Eastern Highway for several hours on Sunday, blocking a major road through the Wheatbelt region.
The police previously called on anyone who has information or images to come forward.