Friend reveals tragic text before crash that killed five teens
A devastated teen has spoken of her anguish after her friends were killed in a horrific crash that claimed the lives of five teenagers southwest of Sydney on Tuesday night.
Emergency services attended a shocking scene at 8pm on Tuesday at Buxton, near Picton, after a Nissan Navara drove off the road and crashed into a tree.
The victims who all went to Picton High School — three girls aged 14 and 15 and two boys aged 15 and 16 — all died at the scene.
The P-plater who was driving, an 18-year-old man identified as their friend Tyrell Edwards, was taken to Liverpool Hospital for testing and had non life-threatening injuries. He was released from hospital on Wednesday and was arrested at Bargo and taken to Narellan Police Station for questioning.
Friend said she 'could've prevented' outcome
Ellie Mount, who is best friends with two of the girls killed, was also invited out last night and broke down at the scene when she was interviewed by media.
“I played soccer with them, they were always there, and to think that they texted me last night asking if I wanted to hang out with them,” she told reporters tearfully.
“I could have got mum to pick them up... I could have prevented it, I don’t know what to do.”
The father of one Year 9 student who was killed in the crash said his family isn't resentful towards the driver.
"We don't hold any grudges against the driver because he is going to go through hell," he said to the ABC.
Driver was not intoxicated
Acting Inspector Jason Hogan has confirmed his breath test at the scene was negative, and police were not been able to interview him until Wednesday afternoon.
Further blood-alcohol tests will be done.
Acting Inspector Hogan also confirmed the car was a registered as a four-seater, which will be further investigated by the crash unit, as well as how many seatbelts were worn.
"Obviously having six people in a four-seater vehicle is inherently dangerous and it should not be done," Acting Inspector Hogan said.
"At this stage, we believe they are all students or ex-students of Picton High School.
"It must be extremely traumatic for family, friends, first responders and the local community to have five young lives lost in circumstances such as this, I can’t imagine how they’d feel."
According to the ABC, the NSW Department of Education provided two separate counselling teams on-site at Picton High School on Wednesday, one for staff and one for students.
Acting Inspector Hogan also mentioned the scene was "extremely traumatic" for first responders.
"Unfortunately we do come across traumatic scenes too often, the drivers need to take responsibility in all circumstances for their manner of driving — to keep themselves, their passengers and other road users of NSW safe," Acting Inspector Hogan said.
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"I would appeal to all drivers to take that second thought about what their actions could ultimately lead up to."
An investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the crash and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Police are appealing for anyone with dashcam footage or information about the incident to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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