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Two mums and their daughters killed in horrific head-on crash

Two mums and their daughters travelling to a volleyball tournament have died after their minivan was struck head-on by a 4WD.

Carrie McCaw, her daughter Kacey, and Lesley Prather and her daughter Rhyan, were killed near Lake Saint Louis in the US state of Missouri on Friday morning (local time), news website St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

The parents were both aged 44 and their daughters both 12, and all were from Louisville in the US state of Kentucky. They were commuting to a tournament in Kansas City, according to the publication.

Carrie McCaw, her daughter Kacey and Lesley Prather and her daughter Rhyan were mourned in posts to social media. Source: Facebook/Assumption High School
Carrie McCaw, her daughter Kacey and Lesley Prather and her daughter Rhyan were mourned in posts to social media. Source: Facebook/Assumption High School

The crash unfolded about 10.38am when the 4WD crashed through barriers and rolled into the path of oncoming traffic, including the female family unit’s Honda Odyssey and another car.

The driver of the 4WD sustained serious injuries and is being treated in hospital, while the occupants of the third vehicle escaped without injury.

Highway Patrol officers suspected the driver of the 4WD had something “in his system” impairing his judgement at the time of the crash.

Lesley Prather and Carrie McCaw were killed alongside their 12-year-old daughters Rhyan and Kacey. Source: Facebook
Lesley Prather and Carrie McCaw were killed alongside their 12-year-old daughters Rhyan and Kacey. Source: Facebook

The 4WD driver, a 29-year-old man, was reportedly almost three years into a probationary period for a drug conviction in 2017.

The volleyball tournament director Jared Rudiger said the community was “devastated at learning of the loss” of the four Kentucky Indiana Volleyball Academy members.

“Words are unable to express our sadness at the loss of Carrie and Kacey McCaw and Lesley and Rhyan Prather,” Mr Rudiger said.

The aftermath of the crash showed the two wrecked vehicles. Source: CNN
The aftermath of the crash showed the two wrecked vehicles. Source: CNN

Louisville mayor Greg Fischer expressed his grief over the loss of Ms Prather, who was a firefighter in the city.

“My heart is breaking at the loss of four Louisvillians, including a Louisville firefighter, killed in a tragic accident today in Missouri. I ask that you join me in keeping their families, friends and co-workers in your hearts and prayers,” he wrote in a tweet.

The former universities of both women also posted messages to social media after hearing the news.

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