Second child dies after tragic South Australia emu crash
A teenage girl has died after fighting for her life in hospital following a multi-car crash caused by an emu in South Australia.
The 15-year-old passed away last night, while her five-year-old brother was killed in the crash and died at the scene.
Police were called to Riddoch Highway near the town of Nangwarry, close to the Victoria border, following a three-car pile-up about 2.40pm on Sunday.
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Police were called to Riddoch Highway near the town of Nangwarry, close to the Victoria border, following a three-car pile-up about 2.40pm on Sunday, October 27, 2024. 9News
Chris Eykelenburg thanked emergency services and nurses after a crash on the Riddoch Highway, near the town of Nangwarry in South Australia, claimed the life of his five-year-old son. 9News
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A black Holden sedan hit an emu, causing the Eykelenburg family's grey Toyota sedan to brake suddenly and a white Nissan ute to crash into its rear, police said.
Chris and Paula's five-year-old son was killed almost instantly and his teenage sister was left in a critical condition.
"He was very adventurous, always on the go, always playful, happy, always wanting just to talk and have fun," said family friend Tara Button, who's known the family for years.
Chris, who suffered minor injuries in the crash, spoke yesterday from Mount Gambier Hospital.
"I can't thank the emergency services enough. They've done a fantastic job," he told 9News in a statement.
"My nurses have gone above and beyond."
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The five-year-old boy died and a teenager, 15, is fighting for her life in hospital. 9News
Two more of the siblings, aged six and 13, are also in hospital for minor injuries.
"I'm trying not to cry at the moment," Button said.
"I'm trying to keep it all together but I know it'll hit me at one stage."
The children's mother flew from Mount Gambier to Adelaide this morning and was maintaining a vigil at her daughter's bedside.
The crash took place on a stretch of highway near the South Australia-Victoria Border. 9News
Button set up an online fundraiser to help her friends, who had already been going through a tough time after Chris was made redundant just two weeks ago.
"When I heard the news I thought we need everybody in the community to just get behind them and support," she said.
No one from the other two cars was injured.
Police from the major crash unit are investigating.
The deaths of the two children mark the 71st and 72nd lives lost on roads in South Australia this year.
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