Man faces court after two children killed in crash involving emu in SA
A man has faced court after two children were killed in a crash involving an emu in South Australia.
Callum Thorne, 22, dodged questions from reporters as he walked from the cells at Mount Gambier today.
He is accused of careering into the back of a family's SUV, which had stopped suddenly on the Riddoch Highway at Nangwarry on Sunday afternoon.
READ MORE: COVID leaders shouldn't apologise for pandemic response, health minister says
Callum Thorne, 22, (right) dodged questions from reporters. NIne
The crash was allegedly triggered by a Black Holden in front of them all which had hit an emu.
The crash claimed the lives of five-year-old Issac Eykelenburg and his 15-year-old sister Keziah in that Toyota sedan.
Prosecutors tried to oppose Thorne's bail in court this afternoon because they said they couldn't find his phone.
The phone, which was seen on police body cam at the crash site, is now missing.
A search of his home has failed to locate it.
The lives of those who knew the Eykelenburg family are also forever altered.
READ MORE: Death of SA woman, 26, with 'significant disabilities' ruled a major crime
The crash claimed the lives of five-year-old Issac Eykelenburg and his 15-year-old sister Keziah. Nine
Abbie Lovekin's son Teddy was best friends with Isaac and went to kindergarten together.
She's had to have a heart-wrenching conversation with him.
"He didn't say anything and I asked him if he knew what that meant and then he just cried and said he'll never get to play with him again and I said 'that's right buddy'," she said.
The community is rallying behind the Eykelenburg family, who are also finding the strength to offer support.
"Issac's mum she's messaged a couple of times now just checking in how Teddy is going. It's just so nice," Lovekin said.
"We'll talk about Issac everyday, I think."
Thorne will return to court in May for charge determination.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
