A local community has been rocked by the deaths of a father and his young daughter in a horror crash that also left two boys seriously injured.
Ivy Hodgess, 11, and her father Wade, 45, died at the scene on The Bucketts Way in Tugrabakh, near Gloucester on the NSW mid-coast, on Friday.
Her brothers Lenix and Vann, aged 8 and 9, had to be freed from the wreckage by firefighters and were rushed to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.
Concerned relatives contacted police early on Saturday morning amid concerns that Mr Hodgess and his children had failed to arrive at a relative’s home.
Police started an investigation and discovered the crash site in Tugrabakh about two hours later.
Mr. Hodgess’ SUV had left the road and gone down an embankment.
A GoFundMe has been launched to support their shattered loved ones in the aftermath of the tragedy, including Ivy’s mother Simara and her partner Darryn.
The fundraiser’s organizer said the Forster-Tuncurry community had been rocked by a “devastating” tragedy.
Police are appealing for information after the deaths of 11-year-old Ivy Hodgess (pictured) and her father, Wade Hodgess, in a tragic accident on the NSW north coast on Saturday morning
The fundraiser’s organizer said the Forster-Tuncurry community was ‘shocked by the devastating news’.
“Simara and Darryn rushed to be by their side as they mourned the loss of their daughter and cared for the other children in the family,” the page reads.
“We ask the community to dig deep and help this family give their little girl a beautiful send-off.
“These funds will be contributed to ongoing rehabilitation, counseling, travel, rental assistance and any other day-to-day expenses that may arise.
“May Ivy and Wade rest in peace.”
The fundraiser raised nearly $13,000 in 24 hours.
The tragedy also sent shockwaves through the Forster-Tuncurry Junior Rugby League Football Club, with which the family had links.
Police were told they may have been heading to a relative’s home when they veered off The Bucketts Way, in Tugrabakh (pictured), and crashed
A post on the club’s Facebook page said one of the “junior Hawks families needs our support now more than ever.”
“It is understandable that there will be a number of significant expenses during this time… which will place significant strain on the family budget,” the message reads.
Lenix, 8, has since undergone surgery.
“The prognosis for both Lenix and Vann looks promising,” the club added.
A crime scene was established as police began investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Initial reports indicate the SUV had been involved in a “minor accident” earlier that evening, NSW Police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.