Split-second mistake blamed for tragic crash that killed teen
Inexperience and a split-second mistake are being blamed for a tragic crash which killed a teenager in South Australia.
The tight-knit town of Nuriootpa is mourning the loss of Hannah Collins, who had only been on her P-plates for two weeks.
She was 17 years old, and about to finish Year 11.
She and her friends were excited to get their driver’s licences, but Hannah’s life was tragically cut short on Sunday after a horrific collision.
She was driving her Holden Astra near Gawler when police say she misjudged a turn, pulling straight into the path of an SUV.
Hannah was killed instantly while her 16-year-old passenger was flown to Royal Adelaide Hospital in a serious condition.
The driver of the other car suffered minor injuries.
“We’ve lost a young life, which is tragic in any circumstances,” Barossa Mayor Bon Sloane said.
Family, friends and strangers have laid floral tributes at the scene, with flags at Nuriootpa High School flying at half-mast on Monday.
Classmates and teachers at the school are being offered trauma counselling.
The school principal said their thoughts are with the Collins family and the 16-year-old girl who remains in hospital.
“This is a sudden and terrible event which has deeply affected the entire school community,” the principal said in a statement.
