EXCLUSIVE
A mother who suffered critical injuries in a horrific car crash that killed her husband and two children has woken up in hospital – with her devastated son reporting the vehicle was hit while he was reversing on a 50 mile road /you.
Krystal and Phil Harris left their home in Jandowae on Monday morning with their daughter, Ocean, 15, and son Warrior, eight, to travel to nearby Dalby, in Queensland’s Western Downs region.
It was a routine trip the family took regularly, but tragedy struck at around 10.50am when their Nissan Terrano was hit from behind by a Landcruiser on Dalby-Jandowae Road in Jimbour East.
Phil, 54, and the two children died at the scene while Ms Harris, 46, was flown to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a critical condition with chest, abdominal and arm injuries.
A family friend told Daily Mail Australia that Ms Harris emerged from a coma on Tuesday and will undergo back surgery.
Krystal Harris (pictured) is the sole survivor of a horror crash in Jimbour East, Queensland’s Western Downs region
The friend said Mrs. Harris was conscious at the scene of the crash and is aware that her husband and two children did not survive.
The friend, who hopes to visit Ms Harris on Wednesday, said the crash has been a “nightmare” for the family and it is “not easy” to come to terms with the tragedy.
Meanwhile, Ms Harris’ son Storm Reddacliff, 25, has taken to social media to address reports that the family was reversing at the time of the crash.
According to the Courier Mail, sources close to the investigation claim that Mr Harris was behind the wheel of the Nissan and was reversing to help a Western Downs Regional Council employee when the car was hit.
However, Mr Reddacliff said this was not the case.
‘The ut [allegedly] rammed the car and killed them. There was no reversal,” he wrote.
The tragedy has rocked the close-knit Jandowae community, home to about a thousand people. Publican Red Clark describes the family as ‘very polite’ and Ocean and Warrior as ‘good kids’.
The accident claimed the lives of her husband Phil (left) and children Ocean and Warrior (center in photo)
The family friend told Daily Mail Australia that Phil was a stay-at-home dad after suffering injuries that forced him out of the workforce.
Daily Mail Australia understands Ocean, who also went by the name Daisy, was living with autism. She and her brother had several older siblings, who stepped up to support their mother while she was in the hospital.
Mr Reddacliff has remembered his lost loved ones as ‘shining lights’ and has a GoFundMe to help his mother with funeral expenses.
“In memory of my beloved family who tragically died in a car accident on Jimbour East Road from Jandowae, I humbly ask for your support,” Mr Reddacliff wrote on social media.
‘Your donation will help cover funeral costs and support my wellbeing at this difficult time. Every contribution, large or small, is greatly appreciated.
“My family was a shining light in my life and their loss has left a deep impact on me.
“Your kindness and generosity will help me get through this challenging time and honor their memory.”
A family friend told Daily Mail Australia the Harrises regularly traveled to Dalby, where they were heading on Monday when tragedy struck (pictured: aftermath of the crash)
Forensic crash investigators continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash on the rural road.
The driver of the car suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Dalby Patrol Group Inspector Greg Wheeler described the crash scene as ‘horrific’ and urged motorists to be careful behind the wheel.
“It was a clear, sunny day and the accident took place on a closed, straight road,” he said.
‘With the school holidays just around the corner, this tragic accident is a timely reminder to all take responsibility, adhere to the conditions and ensure we are extra careful with the extra traffic we will have on our roads come across.
‘All we can say is: plan your trip, make sure you get home safely, take care of your loved ones and other road users and make sure you are well informed about what you are doing at all times.’