Heartbreaking final photo of Falkholt family day before horror crash
A heartbreaking photo has emerged showing the Falkholt family embracing one another on Christmas Day, less than 24 hours before they were torn apart by a fiery crash on the NSW coast.
Former Home and Away actress Jessica Falkholt, 28, and her sister Annabelle, 21, continue to fight for life after the horrific Boxing Day crash claimed both their parents near Sussex Inlet.
Witnesses pulled the girls from the wreckage as the vehicles were engulfed in flames but Lars Falkholt, 69, and Vivian Falkholt, 60, died at the scene.
The man behind the wheel of the other car, Craig Anthony Whitall, 50, was also killed when the vehicle crossed into the path of oncoming traffic on the Princes Highway, north of the Bendalong turnoff, colliding with the family's car head-on.
(From left) Lars, Vivian, Annabelle and Jessica Falkholt smile during their Christmas Day celebrations - one day before they were involved in a horrific car crash on the NSW coast. Source: Facebook
No one could have imagined the horror that was about to unfold when they posed for a family photo, believed to be in Ulladulla, on Christmas Day.
As both sisters remain in critical conditions in Liverpool and St George Hospitals,Mr Whitall's driving record has been brought into question.
Mr Whitall had been jailed for driving while disqualified and had only recently got his licence back when the crash occurred, according to News Corp.
Craig Whitall also died in the Boxing Day crash on the Princes Highway.
Witnesses pulled the girls from the wreckage as the vehicles were engulfed in flames but their parents could not be saved.
The Daily Telegraph reports Mr Whitall was "well known" to police in his hometown of Ulladulla with a long criminal history of more than 60 offences, and was a known drug user.
Network Seven said the Home and Away family are sending their love and support to the actress and her sister.
"Although her time on set was brief, once a part of the Home and Away family, always part of the family," a spokesman said.
Jessica Falkholt's Home and Away co-star, Jackson Heywood, posted a message on Instagram alongside a photo of Ms Falkholt calling for people to drive safe.
"Can we please send all our support, love and prayers to Jess and her sister Annabelle, fighting for their lives after their crash on boxing day," he said.
"Much love darlin. Im with ya. May u both make a full recovery."
The road toll in NSW is currently at 21 after a crash claimed another woman's life in the state's southwest on Thursday morning.
She was driving a van that collided with a heavy vehicle travelling in the same direction on the Hume Highway at Gunning, police said.
