Teen cousins killed in dirt bike collision
The identities of the two victims killed when the dirt bikes they were riding collided head-on during a Father’s Day party in Melbourne’s west have been revealed.
Investigators have been told that two off-road motorbikes were involved in a collision on Beattys Rd in Grangefields about 6.35pm on Sunday.
The uncle of the two teenagers, Omar El Houli, told 9 News he was the first person to discover the teens after the horrific crash.
Zena Houli, 18, from Altona Meadows, in Melbourne’s southwest, died at the scene.
Her cousin, Ali El Houli, 17, from Hoppers Crossing, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. He died later in the evening.
The teens’ uncle and the owner of the property, Omar El Houli, told the media on Monday the loss was “heart-breaking”.
“We were driving down (the road) and we got out. My niece was on the floor dead and my nephew was also on the ground,” he said.
“I wanted to see who they were, it was my farm. I saw the motorbikes, I saw them, they were on the ground.
“I couldn’t imagine anything worse than what happened.”
Mr El Houli told the media he was now trying to piece together what happened.
“My niece was an angel and so was my nephew, they were the best,” he said.
“There was a few of us here with families getting together, I don’t exactly know what happened.
“I wish I could put my life there instead, they were beautiful kids.
“I can’t explain it, family is all you got, if you can’t look after them – what do you got?”
Family friend Hamza El Kurdi told the Herald Sun 17-year-old Ali El Houli, who had been hospitalised, had a passion for motorbikes and cars.
“They were kind and beautiful souls,” he said. “They just enjoyed each other’s company and loved laughing and talking.”
However, police said on Monday the family had not been cooperative so far in answering their questions.
“The family – members at the party – they’re being uncooperative with police so inquiries are continuing but we’re asking for anyone to come forward,” Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lineham told 3AW radio station on Monday morning.
“It’s incredibly hard for police to do their job when people won’t provide the details.”
Ms Houli’s father, 43, is understood to have raced to the scene of the crash on a quad bike after hearing the sound of their collision.
“It appears the father of the deceased has heard the collision and has hopped onto a quad bike himself and has ridden to the scene,” Sergeant Lineham said.
“He was probably 20m from the scene and he also lost control of his bike and sustained non-life-threatening injuries.”
Two younger children, a six-year-old boy and 11-year-old boy, were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
“We don’t know how the two [other] children were injured,” Sergeant Lineham said.
A 43-year-old Altona Meadows man was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Video footage from the scene shows the motorbikes strewn across the short grass on either side of the road on Monday morning as investigators continue to comb the scene.
The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be established.
Tom Pandza, who has lived opposite the property for 21 years, told the Herald Sun he heard his dogs barking before he saw bodies on the ground.
“As you do out here, they were probably having a bit of fun with some dirt bikes and quad bikes and it was starting to get dark,” he said.
“As I was putting the dogs away I thought it might have been a little bit dark to be riding at that stage.
“Especially on this road because a lot of cars come through pretty quick.
“Maybe about two or three minutes after my dogs started barking very loudly I did see a car and unfortunately a lot of people on the ground.
“I came out and then seen (sic) the carnage afterwards.”
Police are appealing for assistance as the investigation continues.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
