School holiday tragedy as teen, 15, dies in freak accident
A teenager who died in a tragic freak accident in Queensland has been remembered for her indomitable spirit and infectious laugh.
Mackenzie Guild, 15, died on Friday evening – a week into her school holiday break – on a cattle station about 170km north of Charters Towers in northern Queensland after she was helping tow a car that had been bogged.
The Townsville Bulletin reports she was struck in the chest while sitting on the tray of a ute after a snatch rope between the two cars snapped.
Mackenzie died at the scene while her 11-year-old sister, who was also injured in the incident was flown to the Townsville University Hospital in a stable condition.
Queensland Police told Yahoo News Australia they were called to the property just before 9pm, and a report would be prepared for the coroner.
Mackenzie was a student at the Columba Catholic College in Charters Towers and principal Candi Dempster said the school community was devastated by her loss.
“Mackenzie was a bubbly girl with an infectious spirit and an even more infectious laugh. Ever ready to help out, she had an indomitable spirit and was a very popular student in the boarding residence and in day school,” she told Yahoo News Australia.
“As unfathomable as this tragedy is, we are ever grateful for Mackenzie – her sense of hope, positivity and her ‘have a go nature’ at every opportunity presented to her.”
Ms Dempster said she was “now resting in God’s loving embrace” and there would be ongoing support and counselling for staff and students, especially for those in the girls’ boarding residence upon returning to school after the holidays.
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