Driver, 22, charged over double-fatal crash near Mt Gambier appears in court as police search for a crucial piece of missing evidence

A driver charged in connection with a fatal car crash that killed two young siblings has been released on bail while police try to find his phone.

Callum Thorne, 22, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday for the first time since the crash.

Mr Thorne was arrested and charged by police after a three-vehicle crash on the Riddoch Highway near Nangwarry at around 2.40pm on Sunday.

He was charged twice with causing death by dangerous driving and four counts of causing harm by dangerous driving, but was released on bail until May.

Detectives are desperately trying to find Mr Thorne’s phone, which they believe is a crucial piece of evidence in the case.

The tragic collision occurred when a black Holden sedan collided with an EMU on the highway, causing a gray Toyota station wagon behind it to suddenly brake to avoid hitting the Holden, police said.

A third car, a white Nissan ute driven by Mr Thorne, then crashed at high speed into the rear of the Toyota occupied by the Eykelenburg family.

Five-year-old Isaac was pronounced dead at the scene and his 15-year-old sister was airlifted to hospital in Adelaide, where she later sadly died from her serious injuries.

Mr Thorne was reportedly behind the wheel of a Nissan Ute that was involved in a three-vehicle crash that killed two young siblings aged five and 15.

The court heard the complainant searched Mr Thorne’s home in an attempt to find the phone after locating the signal to the address.

“I do not accept that the suspect and his family do not know where the phone is – I suspect there is perversion,” the prosecutor said. the advertiser reported.

The prosecutor opposed Thorne’s bail after detectives discovered the phone traveled south after the accident before being dropped off.

Police also allege that Mr. Throne told a witness at the scene that he was tired and was using his phone prior to the crash.

Mr Throne’s lawyer, Nick Healy, told the court his client’strongly denies that he ever said that.

Mr Healy insisted there had to be some ‘completely innocent’ explanation of where the phone ended up.

“My client is adamant, and so is his family, that they have absolutely no idea where that phone is,” he told the court.

The court heard Thorne had no criminal history and was a respected member of the Mount Gambier community where he had lived all his life.

Magistrate Ben Sale said that while the allegations of concealing evidence were disturbing, the phone may have been moved afterwards Mr Thorne was already in custody.

The judge did not suggest that Mr Thorne led any concealment efforts.

Judge Sale granted Mr Throne bail on the condition that he report to a police station every week.

The arraignment has been postponed until May.

Isaac Eykelenburg, 5, died at the scene while his sister was transported to Adelaide Hospital where she later died from her injuries

The prosecutor told the court that Mr Thorne allegedly told a witness at the scene that he was tired and using his phone at the time of the crash.

Mr Thorne’s friends and family gathered outside the courthouse, crying and holding hands, as bail was granted.

A family friend has since had one GoFundMe for the Eykelenburg family.

“My friend Paula and her husband Chris were involved in an accident that wasn’t good,” wrote Tara Button.

“Chris and Paula are both physically fine as far as I know, but emotionally and mentally not.”

Mr Eykelenburg, 42, was driving the car at the time of the accident and was taken to hospital in Mount Gambier, while his wife was said to have flown to Adelaide with their 15-year-old daughter.

The couple’s 13-year-old daughter and six-year-old son were also taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Flowers have been placed in tribute at Grant High School in Mount Gambier, where Mr Eykelenburg’s eldest daughter had studied.