Driver, 22, charged after three car crash near the South Australia-Victoria border that claimed the life of young brother and sister
The driver of a car that allegedly crashed into the back of another vehicle, killing two children, has been arrested and charged with reckless driving.
A 22-year-old man from Mount Gambier was arrested by police after the three-vehicle crash on the Riddoch Highway near Nangwarry at around 2.40pm on Sunday.
Officers from the Major Crash Investigation Section have since charged him twice with causing death by dangerous driving and four times with causing damage by dangerous driving.
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, 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, while his 15-year-old sister was airlifted to hospital in Adelaide, where she later sadly died from her serious injuries.
The children’s parents, brothers and sisters were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The children’s father, Chris, 42, broke his silence for the first time since the crash by thanking emergency services who helped his family on Tuesday.
A 22-year-old Mount Gambier man was arrested and charged on Sunday following a fatal three-vehicle crash on the Raddock Highway near the Victoria-South Australia border.
A five-year-old boy died at the scene, while his 15-year-old sister was airlifted to hospital where she later died from her serious injuries.
“My wife and I are very grateful for everything, considering what we have lost,” he says the advertiser said.
‘I’m still trying to process everything and I’m still in hospital.
‘I thank all the emergency services for their efforts. I can’t fault them for everything they tried to do for us, they were so helpful.”
Mr Eykelenburg was driving the car at the time of the accident and was taken to hospital in Mount Gambier.
His wife, Paula, 46, is 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.
The 22-year-old driver of the Nissan was not injured, but paramedics took him to hospital as a precaution.
He was refused bail and will appear in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Wednesday.