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Aussie teen dies days before school formal: 'Shocked the whole community'

An Australian teenager has died from injuries sustained in a horrific car crash just days before her Year 10 semi-formal.

Lydia Gilchrist, from Logan, was a passenger in a red Ford Maverick travelling on New Beith Road on Saturday night when the car suddenly veered and landed in a culvert, Queensland Police said.

The 16-year-old was rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital but died from her injuries on Tuesday night, triggering an outpouring of grief from her community.

It’s understood Lydia was on a weekend camping trip with friends when tragedy struck just days before she was set to attend her Year 10 semi-formal, the Courier Mail reports.

Aussie teen Lydia Gilchrist pictured with her mum.
Aussie teen Lydia Gilchrist (pictured with her mum) died days after being injured in a horrific car crash. Source: Facebook

The devastating death of the 16-year-old prompted Rochedale State High School — where the teen was a student — to postpone the event from Friday night to November 14.

A parent of another student at the school told the publication Lydia’s classmates were “a mess” after staff broke the news.

“Lydia was a student that didn't seem to have any enemies, and liked by all, so as you can imagine it was a shock for all students,” the mum said.

The woman said her daughter was devastated over the fact that Lydia “wont get her semi-formal, she won’t be able to graduate Year 10 or 12 or even be able to go to uni”.

“It has shocked the whole school and community,” she added.

Tributes flow for 'loving' teen

Friend and family members have flooded social media with tributes to the “beautiful” and “loving” teenager.

Earlier this week, Lydia’s mum Carly Townsend revealed on Facebook that her daughter had been severely injured.

“Saturday at midnight my life changed in an instant! My baby girl has been in a bad car accident, she is in hospital fighting for her life,” she wrote on Monday.

“I would not normally put something so personal on Facebook but I’m asking everyone to pray to whatever higher power they believe in to help us get through this.”

The following day, the mum shared her heartbreak over her daughter’s death.

“Rest In Peace my beautiful daughter, words can’t even describe how much I loved you. I miss you so much already!” Ms Townsend wrote alongside a picture of Lydia smiling.

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