Mum and unborn baby killed in car crash on way to kindergarten
The shattered family of a woman and her unborn child killed in a head-on crash have expressed how their sudden loss has left them all “in a state of deep shock”.
Tess Clark was pregnant with her third child Asher, due on March 1, when a ute allegedly collided head-on with her SUV in Pakenham South, in Melbourne's southeast, on Thursday morning.
Ms Clark, who leaves behind her sons Hunter, 5, Archie, 3, and her husband Shane, was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition following the collision.
It’s believed she was on her way to kindergarten drop off with both of her sons in the car, though the young boys both escaped with non-life threatening injuries, 7News reports.
The 34-year-old from Koo Wee Rup and her unborn child have since died, police confirmed on Friday.
In a GoFundMe page established by Ms Clark’s step sister, she was described “a proud and devoted mother who loved her boys more than anything on this earth”.
“She would do anything for her family, and always put their needs before her own. Hunter and Archie adored their Mum, and she them,” the fundraiser read.
Ms Clark and her husband were “high school sweethearts, who adored each other, they were soulmates,” according to the page.
The mum was “a bubbly, loving, energetic and strong young woman”, with the loss to “leave a huge hole in the hearts of all that knew her”.
The fundraiser was hoped to slightly ease the burden on Shane and the two children, with all donations going directly to the grieving trio.
Tributes have flooded social media following the tragedy, with Ms Clark’s best friend among many to express their devastation.
“Yesterday I got that phone call I never would have thought I would receive. In that moment my life changed. I am lost for words. I didn't want to wake up this morning cause I was hoping there would have been a mistake,” she wrote to Facebook on Friday.
“Tess Clark I am broken. You played such a massive part in my life for the past 19 years. I just cannot believe you won't be here anymore. I will help take care of your boys and Shane as much as I can.
“You were not only my best friend, you were my soul mate and my sister. I don’t know what to do without you. I will love you forever. Rest in peace lover and to my beautiful nephew who didn't get a chance to live.”
Police are seeking dash-cam footage of the incident to investigate the circumstances of the deadly crash.
Its driver remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Anyone who witnessed the accident or has dash-cam footage is asked to contact police.
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